WO1988010077A1

WO1988010077A1 - Brewing improvement

Info

Publication number: WO1988010077A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/002051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph D. Abdenour
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-16
Filing date: 1988-06-16
Publication date: 1988-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-16
Also published as: AU2079988A; EP0329726A1

Abstract

A brewing system for coffee wherein the entire brewing system is designed for a single batch brewing operation and is disposed of and not for reuse and consisting of a lower cup member (16) in the shape of a right circular frustoconical section, and being open at the top, and an intermediate brew basket unit (12) having a flanged portion extending horizontally proximate the top of the lower cup member (16) and having an upper raised spout portion serving as a conduit for liquid. The brew basket unit (12) has a conduit portion (58) opposite the spout (50) for venting of the cup member (16). An upper member (14) having liquid flow limiting means and being received on the intermediate brew basket unit (12).

Description

BREWINS IMPROVEMENT

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to brewing. More particularly, this invention relates to the control of purity and qualitative and quantitative parameters of brewing coffee and like beverages.

Background Art

Prior to this invention, it has been a common practice in the art of brewing coffee to use a plurality of structures for maintaining controlled flow of liquid through comminuted particles in the process of forming a beverage solution. A variety of pots and apertured devices have been used. Portions of these structures have been disposable, while other portions require washing in order to maintain the quality and purity of the brew.

One of the problems of these past efforts has been the necessity to provide the labor to perform the washing process subsequent to the brewing process. Another problem has been the time delay required for the washing between successive operations of brewing. Where attempts have been made to economize on the labor involved, not washing between every brewing operation, the quality and purity of the brewed product has suffered.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide means for brewing wherein all of the structure containing liquid that is partially or entirely solute for the ultimate brewed product can be utilized with the complete elimination of any washing operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide structure for brewing wherein such structure is inexpensive and uncomplicated to make and use. It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved brewing process completely free of contaminants that may have been deposited on structures in prior brewing batches wherein the brewing process comprises a plurality of successive batches. It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved brewing process wherein the components of that process are inexpensive to manufacture and use.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved brewing process wherein the brew basket, in combination with an unlipped coffee pot, can provide means for the pouring of liquid from the pot without structural modification of the pot itself.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved brewing process wherein the components of that process allow for prepackaged coffee to be brewed therein as well as loose coffee to be brewed therein, and having means for venting the components thereof of gases during high temperature application, and to be sufficiently inexpensive to make, use and sell, to allow disposability and the use of fresh apparatus for subsequent brew.

Dispenser of Coffee and Coffee Brewing Apparatus

One of the problems of providing heated water for use in brewing coffee in commercial environments is that there is no means of limiting the travel of a possible splash towards the one making coffee. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide means of limiting the direction and travel of splash of hot water that can cause scalding or burns, and, at the same time, provide a substantial accessibility to the apparatus to the operator and not inhibit him in the process of using the apparatus to make coffee. In a typical commercial environment, a stand is provided for a coffee pot in conjunction with means for either brewing or adding hot water to a brew mixture in the process of making coffee. This stand is typically open ended completely, or it is open on all sides except possibly one side facing a wall mounting or one side that is adjacent to a wall. Even where one side is facing a wall, there is nothing to inhibit a splash of hot water that can scald a user or an operator.

Another important consideration in coffee apparatus, particularly in a commercial setting, is that whatever means are provided to increase safety and to enhance the appearance of the apparatus should not provide an important constraint on the accessibility to the device by the user or inhibit easy use in the manipulation of the device. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a safety shield that provides substantial limitation of the direction and the travel of a possible splash of hot water in the process of brewing coffee, enhances the overall appearance and the desirability of the mechanism and at the same time provides the freedom of access for easy manipulation of the device by the user or operator.

Another consideration in the design of coffee brewing and dispensing apparatus is that if there is to be a limitation of either the direction or extent of travel of the splash, that limitation should be provided in a manner that provides maximum protection to the user and restricts at least the most harmful direction of that splash, rather than limiting travel of the splash in a direction that would be least likely to be harmful.

For example, in the prior art, dispensing apparatus has been provided that does provide limitation of the direction of splash other than the direction towards the most adjacent wall. It might provide protection by providing a shield that is substantially perpendicular to that wall, but the problem with that kind of embodiment is that while it limits splash, it does not limit splash in the direction most likely to harm the userwhich is the direction facing the user. To view the matter from another perspective, this invention permits the optimum placement of the shield from the standpoint of safety in that it does not inhibit or encourage a user to take a position in such a way that you get the maximum effect of a damaging spray, rather, he is encouraged to face the faceplate as the operating switch is on the faceplate. It is easy to maneuver the pot into the slot provided where the motion of the hand of the user is in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which he is facing; and any possible splash is directed orthogonally with respect to his face so it maximizes the safety aspect of the shield because it directs the flow of a possible splash in that direction least likely to hit the operator's face.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved brewing process wherein components of that process include a brew basket that has raised and lowered areas proximate apertures for the allowing of brew to pass therethrough that is capable of inexpensive and precise manufacture using dies.

Disclosure of Invention

These and other objects of this invention are achieved by the provision of a brew basket member; a cap member; and a cup member. The brew basket cooperates with the cup member in such a manner as to provide upper extending flow conduit con-figuration means to allow the pouring of brew from the cup. Also provided in the brew basket member is a vent to allow gases to replace the volume displaced by the flow of liquid from the cup. The cap member has apertures to allow the flow of water therethrough into the brew basket and also has vent portions to allow the venting of gas from the brew basket that is displaced by the infusion of water flow thereinto. The brew basket member has raised and lowered portions on the bottom thereof proximate relatively large apertures for the passing of brew product therethrough. A filter paper inserted in the brew basket and covering the aforementioned raised and lowered areas in the bottom thereof allows the filtering of the brew therethrough into the cup member below. Alternatively, coffee may be packaged in filter paper and placed on the raised sections of the bottom of the brew basket to allow the filtering of the solute therethrough. These and other objects of this invention can be appreciated from the foregoing specifications and claims.

In an alternative embodiment of this invention, a structure is provided to support a coffee dispenser. This structure has a substantially rectangular aperture extending in port and starboard directions, and the aft side of the structure is adjacent to, or directly contiguous with, but certainly in parallel with the wall; and the forward section of the structure consists of a substantially right parallelepiped structure where a central plane passing there through is substantially parallel to the wall. From these directions, it is possible to place the dispenser within the aperture either from the starboard or port directions while the operator is facing the forward portion of the device that comprises a substantial shield to prevent water spray in the forward direction and encourage water spray if it does occur to be limited to either starboard or port directions away from and orthogonal to the facing of the operator.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 taken along the section lines 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, partially broken away, taken along the section lines 3-3 thereof; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 taken along the section lines 4-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a partial detailed sectional view showing the cooperation of the lip of the brew basket with the cup member; Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the cooperation of a lip portion of the brew basket with the cup member; Fig. 7 is a further alternative partial sectional view showing the cooperation of the lip portion of the brew basket with the cup member;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the cap member utilized in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 11 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 12 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a partial transverse sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11, taken along with section lines 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 14 is a partial view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of this invention; and

Fig. 16 is a top view of the embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. 10 as in a flat, pre-folded condition.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details in construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Additional Drawings

Fig. 18 is a top view of package components and packaging used in the preferred embodiment of this invention; Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a side view of a coffee pot used in conjunction with the apparatus shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 22 taken along the section lines 5-5, thereof;

Fig. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 22; and Fig. 24 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of this invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention shown generally at numeral 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a brew basket member 12, a cap member 14, and a cup member 16. The brew basket member 12 has a body 18 that is essentially in the shape of a right circular frustoconical section. The body 18 has sloping sides 20 that have ribs 22 forming ridges and valleys on the sides thereof. The main body side wall 20 has an interior side 24 and an exterior side 26. A horizontal wall portion 32 extends continuously, horizontally and directl y from the vertical wall section 20. At a corner 34, a downwardly extending wall portion 36 exterior to wall surface 26 continues vertically downward continuously from and immediately connecting with wall portion 32. A draft angle 42 is formed between the wall 20 and a vertical plumb line 40. A similar draft angle 38 is formed on the outer wall 36 with a vertical plumb line. These draft angles foster ease of mold design, manufacture, and subsequent nesting of the product. At junction 44, horizontal extending wall section 46 extends radially horizontally away from section 42 forming a spout for conduit of liquids through chamber 48 and having a radially curved downward section 50. At junction 52, a horizontal wall section 54 extends radially away from wall section 36 to form a lip containing a chamber 56 for the allowance of air or gas to pass therethrough continuing through connecting conduit portion 58 exteriorly of the cup 16. Other than the spout sections 50 and 54, circularly around the rest of the bottom rimmed portion of the brew basket 12, the wall section 42 meets at junction 60 with a horizontally extending wall portion 62 and, at junction 64, an upwardly extending wall section 66 forms a right circular frustoconical section continuous from, extending from, and contiguous to horizontal section 62. At junction 68, a horizontal wall section 70 extends radially outwardly continuous with and contiguous to wall section 66. At junction 72, wall section 74, in the shape of a right circular cylindrical section, extends continuously, contiguous to wall section 70. A lip or rim 76, contiguous to wall section 74 and extending radially outward therefrom, provides the lower terminal wall structure of brew basket 12. Wall section 20 at junction 80 connects continuous with bottom section 82 of the brew basket 12. Bottom section 82 has a peripheral raised portion 84 contiguous with lowered portions 86 and connected by intermediate vertical wall sections 88. Similar lowered portions 90 and raised portions 92 are arranged in a symmetrical pattern interiorly inward from the outer perimeter 94 of the bottom section 82. A central raised conical portion 96 is provided for the centering of filter paper, prepackaged coffee, and the like. Portion 96 may, alternatively, be replaced by an aperture at the same location with the same horizontal dimensions. A plurality of apertures 98 are provided in bottom section 82 for the passage of brew therethrough to the coffee pot or cup member 16 below.

The cap member 14 is in the shape of a hollow dish. A bottom section 100 is in the shape of a right circular cylindrical disc. Cap 14 has upwardly extending right circular frustoconical section walls 102 contiguous with, continuous from, and extending above vertically radially outwardly from bottom portion 100. The walls 102 have ribs 104 forming ridges and valleys in the upward extending vertical wall portion 102. A termination lip 106 is provided around the outer perimeter 108 of the cap member 14.

Radially inward jogs 112, 114, 116 form notchlike areas in the outer periphery 108 of the cap member 14. The wall 102 and lip 106 follow this periphery so that space is provided between the interior side 119 of section 30 of the brew basket 12 and the radially inward exteriorly facing portion of the notches 112, 114, 116. This allows the passage of gas from the interior of the brew basket when the cap 14 is placed thereon while water is passing through apertures 118 in the bottom portion 100 of the cap member 14.

It can be readily seen that the cap member 14 can be pressed into a press fit engagement with wall surfaces 119 of the brew basket 14, and also be readily removed therefrom. When the cap is placed into the aforementioned engagement with the brew basket 14, an enclosed entity is provided wherein water may pass through the apertures 118 of the cap into the brew basket and the coffee indicated at numeral 120 contained within the brew basket, as shown in Fig. 2 may dissolve into the water. The filter paper 122 resting on bottom surfaces 82 of the brew basket provide a filtering of the solute through apertures 98 into the cup 16 below. The coffee pot or cup member 16 is in the shape of a right circular frustoconical section which is open at the top and has an enclosed bottom 130.

From the foregoing description of the structure of the preferred embodiment of this invention, it can be appreciated that the coffee once brewed and collected in the cup member 16 may be poured through conduit 48 and allow the passage of gases through conduits 56, 58 during such pouring. Further, the conduits 48, 56, 58 provide for the egress of gases while the brew is filling the cup 16. This obviates the necessity for any other apertures other than the apertures 48, 56, 58 in the brew basket to allow the venting of gases during the fill of the brew into the cup from the brew basket 12. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional detail showing the preferred embodiment of the radially outward downward exterior portions of the brew basket 14 in cooperation with the upward extending wall portion 132 of the cup member 16.

Fig. 6 is an alternative embodiment showing a simpler construction but not having the lock features as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a further alternative embodiment of the relationship between the downward radially outward portions of tire brew basket 14 in mating relationship with the upward extending wall 32 of cup 16. In this alternative embodiment, an inclined plane portion 134 in the outer periphery of the brew basket allows for ease in the engagement of various diameters of cup members 16.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing specific descriptions of the draft angled components 12, 14 and 16, it can be appreciated that each of the three components, and a plurality of each of the components, can be nested, thus saving considerable space in shipping, storage, and handling. For example, because of the sloping sides of the frustoconical sides of the cup 16, a plurality of such cups can be nested together in a relatively small space. For another example, the sloping sides 102 of the cap 14 allow them to be stacked in a similar nesting relationship.

Similarly, the sloping interior surfaces 24 of the brew basket 12 allow similar nesting and stacking.

It can be further appreciated that when the composite portions 12, 14 and 16 of the brewing apparatus are assembled as shown in Fig. 1, an enclosed combined structure is provided that retains heat both within the brew basket and within the cup while allowing venting of gases through passages 48, 56, 58, and through the notches 112, 114, 116 of the cap.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the brew basket and cap are both made by vacuum form molding of plastic sheet material. Preferably, the thickness of the brew basket does not exceed 20 mils, and the preferable thickness is in the range of 6 to 16 mils. This is a substantial factor in reducing the cost, weight, and disposability after single use. At the same time, the ribs as shown in the drawings and described above, provide a substantial reinforcing element so that despite the relatively thin thickness of the walls, the walls are strong enough to withstand the stresses induced by heat and fluid pressures. Similarly, apertures or conduits provided in both the bottom and the top of the combined structure of the cap and brew basket allow sufficient venting of the gases while retaining sufficient heat for brewing so that a reduced thickness wall can be utilized. Similarly, the hills and valleys as shown in Fig. 2 in cross-section provided further additional strength for the bottom portion of the brew basket so that reduced thickness of plastic can be used throughout in that area.

Another function of providing upper and lower portions, that is, portions that are raised from relatively lower portions or portions that are depressed from relatively upper portions in the bottom portion of the brew basket, allow free flow of liquid through the filter paper and prevent clogging by undissolved coffee sediment or grounds that would otherwise inhibit the flow of the brew to the cup below. This is a substantial factor in controlling the speed of the brew as well as the completeness of the brew and recovery of the brew in the cup below.

Another factor in the reduced thickness of the plastic walls and bottom of the structure of the brew basket can be appreciated by the provision of a centering raised portion to center the filter paper. This prevents the shifting of the filter paper and thus laying bare an unfiltered area in which brew can pass without filtering.

In prior art devices, it has been necessary to provide notches or lips in the cup in order to facilitate flow. Prior art also requires apertures in the brew basket above and beyond those provided by the cap in order to allow proper venting.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention as described in detail above, this additional venting is not required because sufficient venting is provided by the chambers 48, 54, 58 in the brew basket itself to allow the passage of liquid therethrough over arid above the top of the wall of the cup 16 and also allows the venting of gases to this part of cup 16.

In the preferred method of brewing coffee pursuant to this invention, a brew basket is provided of thin plastic dimensions as shown in the drawings, water is allowed to pass through the apertures in the cap to the interior chamber of the brew basket, where the coffee solute is in loose form over a filter paper or is in prepackaged form in filter paper. The brew basket itself allows brewing to take place within a closed environment, however allowing venting through the lip or notches in the cap. During the brewing process, the coffee is allowed to drip through the filter paper, and through the apertures in the bottom of the brew basket to the cup below. After the brewing process, the entire brew basket and cap may be disposed of as a single entity. This includes the grounds that are contained therein. This avoids manual handling of grounds for removal therefrom for subsequent washing, since subsequent washing is not necessary for a subsequent brew. Indeed, a fresh brew basket and cap may be utilized that has been uncontaminated by contact with coffee solution prior to making a fresh brew. It can be appreciated from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of this invention that structure has been provided for brewing wherein the entire structure can be economically disposed of and thereby dispense with any washing step. It can be appreciated that successive batches of brews can be made without using the very same embodiments of structure, indeed entirely new embodiments of similar structure may be used. This is an important step in preserving the sanitation, flavor, purity and quality control, quantitatively and qualitatively, of successive brews with great precision.

An alternative embodiment of this invention 200 comprises a holder 202, having a handle portion 204; a brew basket portion 206, a linear portion 208, a securing portion 210, a distributing portion 212 and a closure portion 214. Preferably, the holder portion 202 has an outer wall 216 and an inner wall 218, each forming a right circular cylindrical entity, about a common central axis 220. Each of the portions 216, 218 form right circular cylindrical entities, having bottom portions 222 and 224 respectively. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the holder 202 has portions 216, 218 made of a polycarbonate or polypropylene or acrylonitrile butidiene styrene plastic material, having significant temperature-resistant and tensile strength properties. Preferably, the portions 216, 218 form inner and outer cups respectively, with the outside one having significantly- higher temperature-resisting characteristics than the inner one. Alternatively, the portions 216, 218 could be made of an integral piece having substantially identical thermal and tensile strength properties throughout. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the space 226 between the inner and outer cups 216 and 218, is simply filled with air. Alternatively, the space 226 could be evacuated to provide a thermal barrier, or filled with polypropylene foam. An alternative form of the holder 202 comprises a bottom portion 226, made of a relatively higher thermal resistant material than the rest of the outer cup 216, and is preferably made of low thermal conductive material that at the same time has a high thermal resistance to melting or other destructive effects with the application of relatively high temperatures.

In this context, relatively high temperatures are considered in the range of 600 degrees Farenheit.

The top exterior surface 230 of the holder 202 is a right circular cylinder in shape. Jutting radially outward therefrom are a plurality of projections 234. Each of the projections 234 comprises a right circular cylindrical section 236, and a radially outward portion 238, having a greater diametric extremity than the diametric extremity of portion 236. The liner 208 is formed of a bag-like tube having perforations near the top 240 portion thereof; so as to tear off in a strip-like manner. The liner 208 has a lower portion 242, a lip portion 244 and a body cavity portion 246. A cutout portion 248 is also provided.

Preferably, the holder 202 has vent portions 250 aligned proximate the center of the handle portion 204. These vent portions 250 are preferably vertical indentations in the top portion 230 of the outer cup portion 216 of the holder 202.

These apertures 250 provide a venting of gases from the area of the interior holder 202, proximate the interior walls 252 of the interior cup portion 218, to the outside, or exteriorly of the apparatus 202 taken as a whole. The cutout portion 248 is designed to be placed proximate the array of apertures 250 in order to facilitate, in an uncomplicated manner, the placing of the liner 208 within the holder 202 and also to prevent blocking of those apertures by placement of the liner 208 in a manner to be discussed hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus 200 comprises the placement of the liner 208 in such a manner that apertures 254 in the lip portion 246 of the liner 208 are placed in juxtaposition to projections 234 on the top cylindrical portion 230 of the holder 202. This is achieved by folding the lip portion 246 radially outward from the interior of the holder 202, with respect to central axis 220, in such a manner that the apertures 254 engage the projections 234. More specifically, the apertures 234 are passed over the exteriorly outer greater diameter portion 238 to engage the cylindrical surfaces of the radially inward portion 236 of the projections 234. When this is done, the diametrically wider portion 238 inhibits or limits the movement of the liner 208 away from engagement with the shank portion 236.

The lip portion 244 engages the top rim 256 of the holder 202, and the body portion 202 descends therefrom radially inwardly therefrom within the holder 202 in such a manner that the exterior surface of the liner comes into contact with the interior surface 252 of the inner cup 218, or at least a substantial portion of the liner comes into such contact. As discussed herein after, after the liner 208 is in place within the holder 202, the addition of liquid being poured into the liner 208 forces greater contact between the liner 208 and the aforementioned surface 252, as well as intimate contact of the liner 208 with the bottom surface 258 of the inner cup 218 of the holder 202. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the handle portion 204 compromises a handle member 260, radially exterior of outer cup 216 and integrally attached thereto. The top portion of handle portion 204, referred to generally at 262, has an inner right circular cylindrical surface 164 in telescoping engagement with a tube shank portion 266. The tube shank portion 266 has a projection 268 that engages in a male-female manner with a female detent portion 270 of the portion 262. The tube shank portion 266 can be selectively manually depressed within cylinder portion 264 for compressive engagement with the liner 208, in a manner to be discussed hereinafter.

When the tube shank member 266 is into detent engagement with female portion 270, the extending arm portion 280, carrying distributor member 290, engages the top of the brew basket 206. The basket 206 transmits pressure exerted onto it by arm portion 280 to lip portion 210. The top surface of lip portion 244 of liner 208 presses that lip portion 244 into engagement with the top lip surface portion 256 of the holder 202.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the arm portion 280 has a relatively flat lower planar surface 282 that forms an acute dihedral angle with the central axis 284 of the cylindrical tube member 266. By this means, positive action of yieldably engaging the lip portion 244 of the liner 208 is achieved when tube member 266 has its projection portion 268 in engagement with the detent 270.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the bottom portion of the holder 202 has downwardly projecting feet 223 to provide an air gap for air insulation between a hot plate, if it is desired to rest holder 202 thereon, and the bulk of the holder 202. This has the effect of reducing thermal conductivity in a selective manner, and allows air cooling of the bottom of the holder 202 if the hot plate is in a highly heat conductive state.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the projections 234 are selectively arranged in a predetermined pattern to conform to a predetermined selected array to conform to a coding by physical means of the liner with a particular holder configuration for precise and unmistakable identification of the proper liner with the proper holder.

In a further alternative embodiment of this invention, a brew basket module 300 is provided (Fig. 16) that can be folded into a brew basket. An example of how module 300 can be folded into a brew basket is illustrated in Fig. 10 as brew basket

310.

The module 300 comprises a flat circular piece of filter paper 320 and strut members 330 fixed to the paper 320. The strut members 330 are preferably made of relatively rigid plastic, and are secured to the paper 320 preferably by bonding.

The strut members 330 are arranged in a plurality of radially extending sections 340 extending from a central circular pattern of struts 350. The resulting pattern consists of a central portion 352, and a first array of radially extending sectors 354 separated from a second array of radially extending sectors 356.

When the module 300 is folded into basket 310, the central portion 352 becomes the bottom 362 of basket 310.. The first array of sectors 354 become right circular frusto-conical sides 364 o-f basket 310, and the second array of sectors 356 become folds 366 of basket 310. The struts 330 provide structural rigidity and integrity to the basket 310.

In an alternative manner of folding module 310, the second array of sectors 356 can be folded into folds extending interiorly of rim 370 of basket 310, instead of extending outwardly of rim 370, as shown in Fig. 10. Addition to Specifications In an alternative embodiment of this invention, a packaging article is shown generally at numeral 400. A lower body portion is shown at numeral 410, having upper flange portions 412. A heat sealing cellophane covering 414 is attached by heat sealing to flange 412. The lower body portion 410 is preferably made of a vacuum-formed plastic. Ridges 416 are provided to increase the -rigidity and load carrying capability of the entity 400. Notches 418 are provided to accommodate lip portions of a brew basket to be discussed hereinafter.

A brew basket 420 is preferably made of a vacuum-formed thin-guage plastic. A filter paper 422 is inserted therein and within the filter paper are two cups 424, 426 wedged in to provide a composite solid entity capable of withstanding downward forces. This entity 430 when placed within the lower body 410 and covered with a heat-sealable membrane, such as cellophane, polyester, or similar material, 414 and placed downward thereby by heat sealing provides resistance to downward loads and increases the strength of entity 400 above and beyond what the load carrying capability of entity 400 would be without the stack 430. Coffee enclosed within a nitrogen atmosphere bag 432 is enclosed within the interior of body 410 and coffee lids, dry creamer, sugar, container liner, and stirrers are also provided, as well as an instruction booklet.

The unique nesting capability of the cups and filter within the brew basket form a solid load bearing entity within the lower body 410 and adds rigidity and integrity to the package to withstand stress during loading, transporting, and unloading.

The lower body portion 410 has a lower depression 440 having three upward embossed projections 442, 444, 446 in the port, forward, and starboard directions, respectively. A central portion 448 within the depression 440 provides a central focus for the orientation of the stack 430; and an aft upward embossed ridge 450 cooperates with projections 442, 444, 446 in registering the position of the stack 430 within the depression 440. More particularly, the bottom portion 452 of the cup 426 of the stack 430 is limited in its translational capabilities within the body 410 by the projections 442, 444, 446 and ridge 450. A forwardly extending ledge 454 is provided in the body 410. This ledge 454 has depressions 456, 458 on the port and starboard sides respectively, where either one of which is ~ capable of orienting the upper spout portion 460 of the brew basket 420 of the stack 430. Additionally, the depressions provide increased stress-bearing capabilities of the lower body 410. In the aft portion of the body 410, ridges 416 extend from the top of the lower body 410 to the bottom of the lower body 410 arranged in two pairs of ridges mutually parallel where each member of each pair is separated by less than 1/2 inch; and the pairs are separated by at least 1 inch. An additional two pairs are near the aft two pairs, one of said additional pairs being on the aft port side of body 410 and the other of said pairs being on the aft starboard side of body 410. Similar additional pairs of ridges are provided in a mirror fashion near the forward portion of body 410, but extending only from the top of body 410 to ledge 454. Body 410 has a depression 462 surrounded by upstanding ridge 450 in the bottom portion 464 of body 410 and sloping port and starboard sides 466, 468 of body 410 and sloping aft side 470 of body 410. This depression is operable to register placement of the coffee package 432, liner 472, and lids (not shown) within lower body portion 410. The lower body portion is preferably formed in plastic by preferably vacuum forming. The lids for the cups 424, 426 are nestable within each other. The lids are also preferably made of vacuum-formed plastic moldings. The liner 472 is preferably made of a soft yieldable plastic that has thermally bonded edges and bottom and is foldable in the manner illustrated in Fig. 19 to be registered between the coffee bag 432 and stack 430 when the components are assembled in the manner illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19. The cups 424, 426 are nestable within each other and in turn are nestable within the brew basket 420 with the filter 422 wedged between the cups, 424, 426 and the brew basket 420.

The brew basket is preferably formed of plastic and preferably molded by vacuum forming. The cups are preferably styrofoam cups made in a manner well known in the art. The filter paper is paper with small interstices between the fibers of the paper made in a manner well known in the filter paper art.

A fixed rigid plastic thermally insulated container 500 is illustrated in Figs. 21, 22, and 23. The container 500 has a bowl section 502 that is cylindrical about a central axis 504. A plurality of cylindrical sections provide an integrated whole about the axis 504. Projections 506 are in the bottom of bowl 502 and are also cylindrically displaced about central axis 504. A handle assembly 510 is integral with the bowl 502. A substantial aperture 512 is provided within the right circular cylindrical wall 514 that forms the inner wall of bowl 502. This aperture 512 communicates with the interior of handle assembly 510. Thus, the interior chamber 516 of bowl 502 is inoperable to contain liquid; and aperture 512 can act as a vent and conduit to prevent chamber 516 from containing liquid. Fig. 23 shows the assembly of the brew.basket and filter paper and liner that have been previously packaged in lower body 410 in an assembled condition with container 500 for the brewing of coffee. The lower flange 500 of the brew basket 420 rests on that portion of the liner 472, raised over the top annular edge 522 and the container 500. The filter paper 422 is placed within the interior chamber 526 of the brew basket 420 in a manner well known in tie art. The bottom of the filter paper 422 rests on the top of upwardly extending embossments 528 of the bottom 530 of the brew basket 420. The ground coffee within the package 432 is removed from the package 432 by opening same and dumping into the cup-like chamber formed by the filter paper 422 within the chamber 526 of the brew basket 520. A distributor plate member 540 has a distributor plate 542 mounted on an arm 544. The distributor member is made of an integral piece of rigid plastic molding, preferably made by injection molding. A stem portion is attached and is integral with the arm 544 and operable to descend within the interior of handle portion 510 of the container 500 and engage slot 546. Apertures and projections are provided within the complete assembly of distributor member 540, specifically the arm portion 544 thereof, and the container 500, specifically the handle portion 510 in a male-female type mutual relationship so that said male-female members engage in a manner well known in the mechanical art to hold the distributor member 542 directly over, in mechanical engagement with, and adjacent to the upper top annular surface 550 of the brew basket in such a manner that the center of distributor plate 542 is substantially coincidental with the central axis 504 of container 500. In this manner, the apparatus and coffee within the apparatus formed by the brew basket 520, liner 472, container 500, and the coffee 552 within the brew basket 520 are precisely registered for the receipt of hot water poured over the distributor plate 542. Apertures 554 are provided in the distributor plate 542 for limiting the flow of hot water into the brew basket in a predetermined manner to control the rate of brewing.

Prior to this invention, it ias been a common practice to heat the water used in the brewing of coffee in the same vessel in which the brew is collected. Ooe of the problems with this method is that any residue from prior brews within the collection vessel becomes mixed with the new batch.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide means whereby water is heated in a vessel separate from the vessel in which the brew is collected and the inner surface of the vessel. The brew which is collected is totally free of an contaminants from a prior brew.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vessel with a lining both completely free of any contaminants from a prior brew for use both as a measuring device to measure the amount of water to be heated for brewing purposes and also as a collecting device for collecting the finished brew and dispensing the finished brew into drinking cups, without contaminating the structure or container supporting the liner. It is a further object of this invention to provide a vessel completely separate and distinct from a brew basket and collecting pot for the heating of water in making the brew whereby the heated water is completely free of any-contaminants from a prior brew.

In the prior art, it has been a practice to package ground coffee beans and other apparatus in an integral package. One of the problems with such packaging is that the integral package is not sealed from dust and other contaminants prior to brewing.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide within one sealed package, sealed from dust and other contaminants prior to brewing, ground coffee beans, sweetener and creamer additites, stirring stick, drinking cups, liner for collecting pot, and brew basket where all the non-hydrated components are free of contaminants from prior brews and free of dust and other contaminants and free of other contamination by said sealing prior to brewing. These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by using a lightweight plastic brew basket having raised bottom portions for holding a filter paper within to allow a controlled predetermined rate of fluid flow of brew from ground coffee contained within the filter paper into a collecting pot having a liner that is disposable and free of prior contaminants, drinking cups, stirring stick, coffee additives all within an integral sealed package for use in conjunction with a separate water heater aod a fluid limiting device for metering the heated water in a predetermined manner into the brew basket during brewing. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a stand 600 is provided having a forward portion 610, an aft portion 620, a bottom portion 630, and an upper portion 640. The lower portion 630 comprises a heating coil and electrical assembly 632 that is well known in the art. On the upper assembly, a funnel 642 receives water poured from the top and water is distributed through a fluid limiting device 644 into a reservoir 646 that ultimately directs the water towards the heating element 632 by gravity. When the water is sufficiently heated by apparatus 632, it is emitted from the heating apparatus 632 through a conduit 634 along the aft side of the apparatus through ejecting spout mechanisms 648. While the shape. of the spout 648 would tend to direct a substantial Rortion of hot water and steam directly downwardly, it is possible that a significant proportion of at least steam, and possibly even hot water, could extend in all 360 degrees of the compass, which means some of it could spew forth in a hot splash or spew of steam in a direction toward faceplate 610. If faceplate 610 was not there as a shield, it could go directly toward the operator's face. Accordingly, a shield mechanism is provided in the forward portion 610 specifically to prevent this. Furthermore, an actuating mechanism in the form of a button 612 is on the forward face of the forward portion 610 to urge the operator to operate it from that point and not from another direction, which in turn encourages him to face the shield within front member 610, providing him the safety and limiting the possibility of him coming into contact with hot steam or hot water in a splash situation. This problem is not anticipated in the prior art because, until the provision of this invention, it has been common to provide a direct closed conduit between an eject spout mechanism such as 648 directly into coffee brewing apparatus that is self-contained within the entire integral holder and not contained within a dispensing device, as in the case of this invention.

In the operation of the above-described preferred embodiment of the invention, a coffee-dispensing device including coffee brewing apparatus, which in turn contains the coffee solute, is placed directly under the spout 648 by insertion into the above-described mechanism, either from the port or starboard direction.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. In a brewing system for coffee, wherein the entire apparatus for brewing is designed for a single batch of brewing and is designed to be disposed of and not reused for a successive batch of brewing subsequent to the initial batch of brewing, in order to preserve the purity of each brew batch brewed with said system and maintaining each successive brew brewed with said brewing system absolutely and completely free of any contaminants from a prior brew made with said brewing system, the improvements comprising: brewing structure having members symmetrical about a geometric central axis thereof; said structure having an upper member, an intermediate member and a lower member; said upper member being symmetrical about said axis; said intermediate member being symmetrical about said axis; said lower member being symmetrical about said axis; relatively raised and relatively lowered portions of the bottom of said intermediate member; said raised and lowered portions being symmetrical about said axis; said upper member having primary liquid flow limiting means controlling the rate of hot water into a chamber formed by the composite of said upper member and said intermediate member; said upper member having means venting gas from said chamber during said flow limited by said primary liquid flow limiting means; said intermediate member having a central nub centered on said axis; a filter paper portion in the shape of a circular disc having a central aperture operable to surround said nub and said nub limiting the horizontal translation of said filter paper portion horizontally away from said nub and said filter paper portion being located interiorly of said- intermediate member and resting on said upper portion of the bottom of said intermediate member; apertures arrayed symmetrically about said central axis in said bottom portion of said intermediate member and providing secondary liquid flow limiting means limiting the flow rate of brew from said chamber to said lower member; said upper member being of a material selected from the group consisting of: plastic, coated paper, treated paper, foil, and laminated metallic foil; and said intermediate member being of a material selected from the group consisting of: plastic, coated paper, treated paper, foil, and laminated metallic foil.

2. In the system of Claim 1, said lower member comprising a cup having side walls in the shape of a right circular frustoconical section, and being open at the top and having a relatively flat bottom, and being of a material consisting of the group of: plastic, coated paper, treated paper, and laminated metallic foil; said intermediate member having a flanged portion extending horizontally proximate the top of said lower member and having an upper raised spout portion in said flange member serving as a conduit for flowing liquid out of said lower member after the brew, and said flange, at a position substantially 180 degrees from the position of said spout, having a lip acting in cooperation with the top of said lower member to provide a conduit for the entrance of gases to replace the space created by the flow of liquid from the lower member during the flow of completed brew from the lower member through the aforementioned spout in said flange; said intermediate member being in slip fit with said upper member; said intermediate member being in yieldable interference fit with said lower member; said upper member and said intermediate member being made of material having a melting point substantially above 212 degrees Fahrenheit and substantially below 600 degrees Fahrenheit; said intermediate member and said upper member being made of a material of substantially less than 20/1000ths inch in thickness throughout; said lower member being of a material that is inoperable to withstand the temperature of a hot plate; and said intermediate member being made of a material that is operable to melt or decompose above the temperature of 230 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. In a process of brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: in a first cycle of brewing, dispensing hot water vertically downwardly; collecting the hot water dispensed in a chamber directly below the source of hot water in a geometric central axis of said chamber; limiting the flow of hot water to said chamber; passing the collected hot water within said chamber through coffee solute located in said chamber; filtering the resultant brew; limiting the flow of the filtered brew at a predetermined rate; collecting the filtered brew in a second chamber; dispensing the filtered brew from said second chamber; and disposing of said first chamber and replacing said first chamber with a fresh first chamber prior to initiating any successive cycle of brewing.

4. In the process of Claim 3, the further improvements comprising: packaging the beverage solute in a web having small apertures of the same order of magnitude as interstices in filter paper prior to the brewing cycle; and placing the packaged beverage solute within the chamber for receiving a stream of hot water prior to filtering.

5. In a method for brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: passing a predetermined volume of water within a predetermined temperature range at a predetermined rate of Flow; distributing said water over a predetermined mass of coffee solute within a first chamber; filtering a solution of brewed coffee within said chamber; conducting said filtered coffee solution from said first chamber into a second chamber and limiting the rate of flow from said first chamber to said second chamber; pouring said conducted filtered coffee solution from said second chamber; and said first and second chambers being kept free from contact with any coffee solution prior to contact with said predetermined measure of water.

6. In a method for brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: aligning a first and second chamber that have been kept free of any contact with any coffee solution into a directed stream of premeasured water; passing a predetermined volume of water within a predetermined temperature range at a predetermined rate of flow into said first chamber; distributing said water in said first chamber over a predetermined mass of coffee solute within said first chamber; filtering a solution of brewed coffee within said first chamber; conducting said filtered coffee solution from said first chamber into said second chamber; and pouring said conducted filtered coffee solution from said second chamber.

7. In the process of Claim 6, said second chamber being kept at all times independent of any heat source other than the heat from said filtered coffee solution prior to pouring; said coffee solution during said pouring coming into contact with an outside surface of said first chamber; and said first and second chambers being absolutely free from any contact of any residue of any coffee brewing prior to being positioned into the flow of said premeasured water.

8. In a brewing system apparatus for coffee, the improvements comprising a brew basket apparatus and a pot, said brew basket, throughout its use in said system, being free of any contact of any coffee solution in excess of the capacity of the pot.

9. In a coffee brewing system, the improvements comprising a brewing basket and a pot, the brewing basket, throughout its use in the system, being free of contact of coffee solution in excess of an order of magnitude greater than the capacity of the pot.

10. In a coffee brewing system, the improvements comprising a brewing basket and a pot, the brewing basket, throughout its use in said system, being free of any contact of coffee solute in excess of 40 grams.

11. In a process for brewing coffee, the resultant brewed coffee being free of contact of any surface in the apparatus used for brewing coffee which has been in contact with any coffee solution prior to that brew.

12. In a process of brewing coffee utilizing the system of Claim 1, the resultant brewed coffee collected in said lower member being free of contact with any surface of any coffee brewi ng apparatus pri or to the passage of hot water i nto said intermediate member; said intermediate member being nestable with another one of said intermediate members; said upper member being nestable with another one of said upper members; said lower member being nestable with another one of said lower members; and said intermediate member being made of a material that will deform above 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

13. In the process of Claim 3, packaging premeasured loose coffee in an envelope, opening the envelope and pouring the loose coffee contained therein into the first chamber.

14. In a coffee brewing system, a brew basket not exceeding a mass of 10 grams.

15. In the system of Claim 14, the combination of a brew basket and distributor plate not exceeding a mass of 16 grams.

16. In the apparatus of Claim 1, the combination of said intermediate member and said upper member having a combined mass not exceeding 10 grams.

17. In a method of brewing successive batches of coffee, where each successive batch of coffee is free of contaminants from any previous batch, the improvements comprising: heating water; dispensing the heated water into a brew basket; extracting a coffee extract from a coffee extractable material within said brew basket responsive upon dispensation of said heated water into said brew basket; collecting said coffee extract in a container; said brew basket and said container being free of contact with any residue from any previous batch of coffee extract brewed prior to the dispensation of said heated water into said brew basket; and disposing of said brew basket and said container after collection of said coffee extract in said container and prior to brewing the next successive batch.

18. In a container for holding a brew, the improvements comprising: said container being operable to be supported by a supporting structure; said supporting structure having a lip portion and said container being operable to depend from a vertically downward direction from said lip portion; said container being impervious to the passage of liquid through the walls of said container; said container being made of a flexible medium, operable to be dispensed in a relatively flat condition with an internal enclosed volume of negligible proportions and also being operable to being expanded from said flat condition to a condition in which there is a relatively substantial enclosed volume; said container being operable in said expanded volume condition to form intimate contact of the outer skin thereof with the inner surface of said supporting structure; and said contai ner i n i ts aforesai d, expanded vol ume condi ti on , bei ng operable to form intimate contact with a substantial portion of the outer surface thereof with a substantial portion of the inner surface of said supporting structure responsive to the placement of a substantial volume of liquid into the container after the container is being supported by said supporting structure where said substantial volume of liquid forms a substantial portion of the enclosed interior volume of said container.

19. In the article of claim 18, said substantial portion of said outer surface of said container being at least 20% of said outer surface; said holder being in contact with at least 20% of said container. said holder and said container directly supported by 20% of surface area, said extent added coated paper; wherein said container is made of a plastic film of the following group of plastic films: polyethylene and polypropylene and nylon and Saranax and Mylar; said container being made of a highly flexible plastic film capable of withstanding melting, burning or other altercation or damage due to high heat concentrations up to the temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit; said container being operable to depend within said supporting structure, proximate a thermally conductive surface, and wherein said container is made of a flexible plastic material, capable of withstanding melting, burning or other thermal damages due to thermal concentrations up to the temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit; the ratio of mass of said container to the mass of liquids operable to be contained in said container, when said containeris in said expanded volume condition, of at least two orders of magnitude; said container in the aforesaid flat state, having a lower depending portion, a median lip portion and an upper overlay portion; said upper overlay portion being proximate the opening in said container when the said container is in the expanded volume containing condition; an aperture in said upper overlay portion; a projection in said supporting structure; said projection projecting outwardly away from the contained expanded volume of said container, when said container is in said expanded volume condition; said container being operable to be supported by said supporting structure in such a manner that said aperture engages said projection; in a plurality of articles, a first article in said plurality having a supporting structure with a first array of projections in a predetermined array, corresponding to an array of apertures in said overlay portion of said container; a second article in said plurality having a supporting structure with an array of projections in a predetermined array corresponding to an array of apertures in said container of said second article; and said array of apertures in said container of said second article not corresponding to said array of projections in said container of first article.

20. In the article of manufacture of claim 18, said container in said flat condition, having a lower depending portion, a median lip portion and an upper overlay portion; and said container in said expanded volume condition; having the exterior surface of said overlay portion exterior of and remote from contact from liquid contained in said container.

21. In the article of claim 20, said overlay portion having an array of apertures in a predetermined pattern; said supporting structure having an array of projections in a predetermined array corresponding to said array of said apertures; said array of projections being remote from and projecting away from liquid in said enclosed volume of said container when said container is in said closed volume condition; and said container operable to be supported by said supporting structure in such a manner that said array of apertures engaged in such an array of projections in a female-male relationship in providing visual signaling means for indication of predetermined geometrical pattern of engagement of said container in said expanded volume state with said supporting structure.

22. In the article of manufacture of claim 18, said container in said flat condition, having a lower depending portion, a median lip portion and an upper overlay portion; said supporting structure having an array of projections projecting away from and being remote from having contact with liquid contained within said container when said container is in said closed volume condition; said overlay portion having an array of apertures arrayed in a predetermined geometric pattern, corresponding to said array of projections; said container being operable in said expanded volume condition, to be supported by said supporting member, in such a manner that said array of apertures engages said array of projections in a male-female relationship; said array of apertures engaging said array of projections in such a manner so as to provide visual signalling means to indicate the identification of a particular container that has been predeterminedly selected for use with a particular supporting structure; and having an array of apertures operable to engage an array of projections in said supporting structure in such a manner so as to constrain the fit of the said container on said supporting structure to a smooth fit at the rim of said supporting structure.

23. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, means of positioning said container with respect to said supporting structure in such a manner so as to prevent excessive displacement of said container with respect to said supporting structure when liquid is poured into said container; apparatus comprising the article of Claim 18, and said means of the article of Claim 23; in a method of extracting coffee, pouring extract into the container; where said container is operable to engage a brew basket; wherein said container is operable to engage the brew basket where the combined weight of the brew basket and the container is limited to no more than 50 grams; said apparatus comprising an arm yieldably urging engagement with the brew basket, which transmits that force into positive engagement in a compressive manner of the lip portion of the container being forced into frictional engagement with the rim of the supporting structure; and the exterior surface of the brew basket coming into contact with the interior surface of the container whereby the container provides isolation of the brew basket entirely from contact with any surface of the supporting structure.

24. In the apparatus of. Claim 18, said coffee pot comprising a rigid liner; and a container is made of coated paper.

25. The article of manufacture of Claim 18 where the container in its flat condition comes off a roll; and in a plurality of articles of manufacture in a coffee brewer, a specific set of projections and a specific set of arrays for two different articles.

26. In the article of Claim 24, the container having a thi cnness of less than 4 mils.

27. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said supporting structure having a rim; said container in said expanded state, when supported by said supporting structure, having a rim portion with a geometric shape, corresponding to the geometric shape of the interior perimeter of said rim of said supporting structure; said container, when in said expanded shape and when supported by said supporting structure, having a substantial portion of said rim portion of said container in intimate contact with the radial interior perimeter of a substantial portion of said rim of said supporting structure; in the method of making the article of Claim 18, forming a plastic sheet, having a number of pinholes per specified area, limited to a predetermined maximum upper limit; forming a bag structure from said sheet material; providing seams on predetermined edges of said baglike structure that are impervious to the flow of liquid through said seams; said seams being impervious to the passage of liquid and retaining their structural integrity up to the thermal limits for the imperviousness of liquids and structural integrity of said plastic sheet; and providing internal radii at all otherwise discontinuous perimeters of edges of the bag, exclusive of sealed edges.

28. In a method of making brewing coffee structure of Claim 27, the additional steps of: forming apertures at predetermined portions of said container, wherein the perimeter of said apertures are free of discontinuities.

29. In the method of Claim 28, said sheet being inoperable to transmit odors of flavors to a water-soluable or water-suspended entity contained within the bag within the thermal limits of said plastic sheet.

30. In the method of Claim 28, a container of plastic sheet resistant to temperatures in the range of 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

31. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said supporting structure having a plurality of projections projecting radially outwardly from the exterior thereof near the rim thereof; said supporting structure having projections; said container having a plurality of apertures such that at least such number of apertures in said plurality equal to the number of projections on the supporting structure are operable to meet with in a female-male engaging relationship with said projections, and at least one other aperture in said plurality of apertures does not meet in a male-female engaging relationship with any of said projections; said supporting structure having a plurality of projections projecting radially outward near a rim thereof from the exterior surface of said supporting structure; said container having a plurality of apertures in an overlay portion thereof, such that at least one of said apertures is operable to engage in a female-male relationship with at least one of said projections; and means attaching said container to said supporting structure.

32. In a method of brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: placing coffee in a brew basket that is virgin to any previous contact with coffee; passing water through said brew basket; collecting the resultant brew in a container that is virgin to any previous contact with coffee; supporting the container with means that may be inhibited from any contact with the brew, and disposing, in a manner comprising but not limited to the destruction of the container and the brew basket subsequent to brewing, but including disposing in a manner prohibiting reuse of said container and said brew basket.

33. In a method of brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: supporting a brew basket; placing coffee in said brew basket; passing water into said brew basket; feeding the brew in said brew basket to a container; dispensing the brew from said container; and destroying the brew basket and container.

34. In a method of brewing coffee of Claim 33, the improvements comprising: supporting a brew basket; placing coffee in the brew basket; adding water to the brew basket; brewing the coffee in said brew basket; allowing gravity to transfer the brew from said brew basket to a container; dispensing the brew from said container; allowing the brew basket and container to be destroyed subsequent to the dispensing of said brew from said container; wherein any and all constituents of the brew are free from any contact with any previous brew, the improvements comprising: packaging coffee solute for a predetermined number of cups of brew in a manner freeing the coffee solute from any contact with ambient atmosphere prior to the process of brewing; initiating the process of brewing by opening the packaged coffee and placing the contents in a brew basket that is free from any previous contact with any coffee brew; adding water to the brew basket; allowing the resultant brew to collect in a container that has been free of any previous contact with a coffee brew; dispensing the brew from the container; and insuring that the brew basket and the container will not contact any subsequent brew of coffee by discarding said brew basket and said container.

35. In the method of Claim 33, the additional step of placing a filter in said brew basket prior to placing said coffee in said brew basket.

36. In the process of making an extract of coffee of Claim 18, the improvements comprising: placing an extractable component of coffee in a chamber; said chamber being free of contact with any coffee previously; leeching the extractable component of coffee; transferring the extract to a container free of any previous contact with coffee extract; dispensing the extract from the container; and jettisoning said container and said chamber.

37. In the method of Claim 36, discarding said container and said chamber.

38. In a method of brewing coffee of claim 32, the improvements comprising: inserting a container into a holder; expanding the container within the holder in such a manner that a substantial portion of the outer surface of the container contacts a corresponding substantial portion of the inner surface of the holder; enclosing a substantial portion of the perimeter of the opening of the container onto the holder; urging a chamber into engagement with the container; placing an extractable component of coffee; leeching the extractable component of coffee; collecting the extract in the container; decanting the extract from the container; discarding the container and chamber; in the process of brewing, the improvements comprising: supporting a container; flowing water into said container; decanting said water from said container; urging a chamber into engagement with said container; placing an extractable component into said chamber; leeching said extractable component with said decanted water; collecting the extract from said leeching in said container; decanting said extract from said container; removing said chamber from said urging engagement with said container; removing said container from said support; and discarding said container and said chamber.

39. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said container having a preformed overlay portion that forms a peripheral flange about the exterior of said supporting means.

40. In a system of brewing coffee of Claim 32, having a discardable vessel for brewing, the improvements comprising: packaging extractable components of coffee in a predetermined and premeasured entity for a predetermined batch with a predetermined grind and a predetermined blend; and wherein the mass of the vessel is of the same order of magnitude as the mass of the extractable component of coffee.

41. A coffee extract formed by a process comprising the steps of prior to brewing, placing an extractable component of coffee within a chamber where said chamber is free from contact with any previous batch of brewed coffee; leeching the extractable component of coffee within said chamber; collecting the extract in a container which is free from contact with any previous brew of coffee; decanting the extract from the container; and discarding the container and the chamber.

42. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, means attaching said container to said supporting means and the further improvements comprising: said brew basket being made of a material having a fiber filter portion and plastic material bonded to said fiber portion.

43. In the article of manufacture of Claim 42, said plastic being bonded to said fiber portion by impregnation.

44. In the article of manufacture of Claim 42, said plastic being bonded to said fiber by adhesive.

45. In the article of manufacture of Claim 42, said plastic being applied to said fiber portion through injection molding.

46. In the article of manufacture of Claim 42, said plastic being bonded to said fiber portion by vacuum molding.

47. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said brew basket having a filter portion.

48. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said brew basket having a filter portion; said filter portion comprising a plurality of apertures in the bottom of said brew basket, where each of said apertures has a maximum dimension of opening of the same order of magnitude as the maximum opening in the interstices of ordinary filter paper; said brew basket having a filter portion, and said filter portion having apertures sufficiently small to restrict the passage of said extractable material; and the combined mass of said container and said brew basket not exceeding the order of magnitude of one gram.

49. In an article of manufacture where said article is used in the process of brewing, the improvements comprising: a brewing basket; a dispensing spout member; a container; a structure supporting said container; said spout member cooperating with said container and said supporting structure to provide a conduit for decanting said container; means supporting said brew basket; said brew basket and said container being free from contact with previous extracts; and said brew basket and said container being operable to be replaced by a second brew basket and second container for subsequent brewing after decanting of extract from said container.

50. In the article of manufacture of Claim 49, said brew basket comprising a fiber filter portion reinforced with rigid members.

51. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said brew basket, prior to being supported by said supporting member, being in a substantially flat planar configuration; said brew basket member, when in said planar condition being operable to be manually geometrically modified to a three-dimensional non-planar shape, wherein said three-dimensional non-planar shape has a bottom portion spaced at a distance away from a top rim portion; the sides of said three-dimensional planar configuration substantially conforming to a frusto-conical section; reinforcing members contiguous to noncontinuous intersections of the outer surfaces of said three-dimensional non-planar shape; and structural reinforcing members on said three-dimensional non-planar configuration, having living hinges at planar intersections thereof.

52. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, the further improvements comprising: said brew basket being made of a material having a fiber filter portion and plastic material bonded to said fiber portion; and secondary support means mounted on said supporting member.

53. In an article of manufacture for use in brewing, the improvements comprising: a brew basket member; a container; a holder for the container; a secondary structural member; said holder supporting said container; said secondary supporting structure supporting said container; said secondary support member having a spout portion; a tertiary supporting member; said secondary supporting member supporting said tertiary supporting member; said tertiary supporting member supporting said brew basket; said brew basket and said container operable to be disposable after brewing; and said container and said brew basket being free from contact with any previous brew batch prior to brewing.

54. In the article of manufacture of Claim 52, said tertiary member operable to be disposable after brewing; said tertiary supporting member being free of contact with any previous brew prior to brewing.

55. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, said brew basket having a filter portion; said filter portion comprising a fiber filter portion attached to a wire grid; said grid having apertures between wires of the order of magnitude of one-quarter inch; said brew basket having a tab member attached proximate the center thereof; and said article of manufacture further comprising a package of extractable coffee.

56. In apparatus for brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: a source of water; means selectively operable to heat said water; means dispensing heated water to a brew basket; said brew basket being operable to brew a coffee extract from a coffee extractable material responsive to said heated water being dispensed to said brew basket; said brew basket operable to transmit coffee extract to a container; sai d container operable to contain said coffee extract; said brew basket and said container being free of contact from any previous batch of coffee extract prior to the dispensing of said hot water to said brew basket; and said brew basket and said container being disposable after a batch of said coffee extract has been collected in said container.

57. In the apparatus of Claim 56, said means heating said water comprising electrical heating means; said dispensing means comprising a vessel containing heated water; a structural member operable to provide structural support to said container; said structural member having a heat conductive portion on the bottom thereof, operable to conduct heat from a heat source to said container; a structural member operable to provide structural support for said container; and said structural member having heat insulation means surrounding a substantial portion of said container, and being operable to contain heat within said container to limit heat loss within said container to a differential heat loss of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit over one hour.

58. In a method of brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: heating water; dispensing heated water into a brew basket; extracting a coffee extract from a coffee extractable material within said brew basket responsive upon dispensation of said heated water to said brew basket; collecting said coffee extract in a container; said brew basket and said container being free from contact with any previous batch of coffee extract prior to the dispensation of said heated water to said brew basket; and said brew basket and said collector being disposable after collection of said coffee extract in said container.

59. In the method of Claim 58, the added step of electrically heating said hot water prior to dispensation of said heated water into said brew basket; collecting said heated water in a vessel prior to dispensation of said heated water into said brew basket; dispensing said heated water from said vessel into said brew basket; pouring water into said container prior to heating said water; dispensing said water from said container into a vessel; and heating said water subsequent to the pouring of said water into said vessel.

60. In the article of manufacture of Claim 18, a brew basket; said brew basket being made of a material having a hardness on Moh's scale of less than 2.5; and said material having a tensile strength of at least 6 kilograms per square millimeter.

61. In an apparatus for brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: a tamper-evident container; coffee; a brewing chamber; means for collecting brewed coffee; said coffee, said means, and said chamber being within said container.

62. In the apparatus of Claim 61, all coffee brewing apparatus operable to come into contact with said coffee and brew of said coffee being within said container; all consumption apparatus operable to come into contact with brew of said coffee being within said container; sugar, creamer compound, and all other non-hydrated brew additives operable to come into contact with brew of said coffee being within said container; and said tamper-evident container operable to resist penetration of contaminants.

63. In the apparatus of Claim 61, said container operable to resist penetration of contaminants affecting the taste of a brew made with the apparatus contained within said container; all apparatus for collecting and containing brew from said coffee being within said container; and said container having load bearing portions whereby said container can withstand, without substantial deformation, vertical loads exceeding by an order of. magnitude the weight of said container.

64. In the apparatus of Claim 61, a stack containing said brewing chamber and one or more cups nesting therein; said stack extending substantially vertically from the bottom of said container to the top of said container; said stack being held in place by said covering yieldable member, said yieldable member being fixed to the top of the container such that the stack can withstand a structural load at least two orders of magnitude greater than the weight of the stack.

65. In the apparatus of Claim 61, a stack containing said brewing chamber, filter paper, and one or more cups nesting therein; said stack extending substantially vertically from the bottom of said container to the top of said container; said stack being held in place by said covering yieldable member, said yieldable member being fixed to the top of the container such that the stack can withstand a structural load at least two orders of magnitude greater than the weight of the stack; lids, and all other thermal containing apparatus operable to come into contact with a brew of said coffee, within said container; and said coffee within said container and means enclosing said coffee isolating said coffee from oxygen and other contaminants.

66. In the apparatus of Claim 61, printed matter within said container; and said coffee being within a nitrogen-containing envelope.

67. In the method of brewing coffee, steps comprising sealing in a tamper-evident package every non-hydrated entity operable to come into contact with the brew; opening the package; brewing the coffee; and consuming the coffee.

68. In the method of Claim 67, said sealing step comprising sealing within one container any non-hydrated entity that can come into contact with the brew whereby said sealing isolates entities from contact with contaminants; and the additional steps of discarding all entities that come into contact with the brew.

69. In the method of Claim 67, isolating said coffee in a environment free of oxygen contact; said isolating step including enveloping said coffee in means resisting intrusion of oxygen into contact with the coffee; and the step of assembling said non-hydrated entities and adding hot water to such entities prior to brewing.

70. In the method of Claim 67, said every non-hydrated entity comprising ground coffee; said every non-hydrated entity comprising a brew basket; said every non-hydrated entity comprising a filter; said every non-hydrated entity comprising cups; said every non-hydrated entity comprising cup lids; said every non-hydrated entity comprising a stirring device; said every non-hydrated entity comprising a coffee pot bladder; sealing printed matter within said container; said every non-hydrated entity comprising sugar; said every non-hydrated entity comprising a non-hydrated creamer.

71. In a method of brewing coffee, the steps comprising sealing in a tamper-evident package a brew basket; opening the package; brewing the coffee; and consuming the coffee.

72. In the method of Claim 71, said sealing step including sealing ground coffee within said package; the additional step of discarding the brew basket; said sealing step including sealing within said package a filter; said sealing step including sealing within said package cups; said sealing step including sealing within said package cup lids; said sealing step including sealing within said package a stirring device; said sealing step including sealing within said package a coffee pot bladder; said sealing step including sealing within said package printed matter; said sealing step including sealing within said package sugar; and said sealing step including sealing within said package non-hydrated creamer.

73. In the method of Claim 71, isolating ground coffee from oxygen and sealing said isolated ground coffee within said tamper-evident package; and isolating said brew basket from contaminants.

74. In the method of Claim 67, isolating any and all non-hydrated entities from contaminants; and the additional step of discarding any and all said entities subsequent to consumption of the coffee.

75. In a method of brewing coffee, isolating a portion of brewing apparatus in a container; breaking the isolation and assembling the portion in a brewing apparatus; brewing the coffee with said apparatus; discharging the brew from said portion; collecting the brew; dispensing the brew; manually removing said portion from the rest of said brewing apparatus; and discarding the portion.

76. In the apparatus of Claim 75, said portion being a brew basket; said portion being a coffee cup; said portion being a liner in a device collecting the brew; said portion being a filter; enclosing ground coffee within said container; enclosing sugar within said container; and enclosing a non-hydrated creamer within said container.

77. In the apparatus of Claim 1, a tamper-evident package, said intermediate member being sealed within said package prior to being assembled into said brewing structure.

78. In the apparatus of Claim 77, coffee solute being sealed within said package prior to being inserted in said brewing structure; means for collecting brewed coffee; said coffee, said filter paper portion, and said intermediate member, being within a tamper-evident package prior to assembly into said brewing structure; all coffee brewing apparatus operable to come into contact with said coffee and brew of said coffee being within said container; all consumption apparatus operable to come into contact with brew of said coffee being within said container; sugar, creamer compound, and all other non-hydrated brew additives operable to come into contact with brew of said coffee being within said container; and said tamper-evident container operable to resist penetration of contaminants.

79. In the apparatus of Claim 78, a plastic liner operable to contain brewed coffee within said lower member; and said plastic liner sealed within said tamper-evident package prior to assembly into said brewing structure.

80. In the apparatus of Claim 14, the improvements comprising: a tamper-evident container; coffee; a brewing chamber; means for collecting brewed coffee; said coffee, said collecting means, and said chamber being within said container; all coffee brewing apparatus operable to come into contact with said coffee and brew of said coffee being within said container; all consumption apparatus operable to come into contact with brew of said coffee being within said container; sugar, creamer compound, and all other non-hydrated brew additives operable to come into contact with brew of said coffee being within said container; said tamper-evident container operable to resist penetration of contaminants; said container operable to resist penetration of contaminants affecting the taste of a brew made with the apparatus contained within said container; all apparatus for collecting and containing brew from said coffee being within said container; said container having load bearing portions whereby said container can withstand, without substantial deformation, vertical loads exceeding by an order of magnitude the weight of said container; means for structurally supporting said collecting means; said supporting means operable to thermally insulate brewed coffee collected in said collecting means; said collecting means operable to contain said measured water used to brew said coffee in said brew basket.

81. In the method of brewing coffee, steps comprising sealing in a tamper-evident package every non-hydrated entity operable to come into contact with the brew; opening the package; measuring water to be heated in a brew collecting vessel; in a first cycle of brewing, dispensing hot water vertically downwardly; collecting the hot water dispensed in a chamber directly below the source of hot water in a geometric central axis of said chamber; limiting the flow of hot water to said chamber; passing the collected hot water within said chamber through coffee solute located in said chamber; filtering the resultant brew; limiting the flow of the filtered brew at a predetermined rate; collecting the filtered brew in said brew collecting vessel; dispensing the filtered brew from said brew collecting vessel; and disposing of said chamber and replacing said chamber with a fresh said chamber prior to initiating any successive cycle of brewing.

82. In the method of Claim 81, the resultant brewed coffee being free of contact of any surface in the apparatus used for brewing coffee which has been in contact with any coffee solution prior to that brew.

83. In the method of brewing coffee, steps comprising sealing in a tamper-evident package every non-hydrated entity operable to come into contact with the brew: opening the package; removing a bladder from the package; supporting the bladder; measuring water to be heated in said bladder; pouring water therefrom into a heating device; assembling in a snug fit contiguous to said supported bladder a brew basket; inserting a filter into said brew basket; opening a package of sealed ground coffee and pouring the contents thereof into said brew basket; placing a water limiting means over the brew basket; pouring hot water into the water flow limiting means so it seeps into the brew basket; collecting the resultant brewed coffee in said bladder; dispensing said brewed coffee in a manner precluding contamination of said supporting structure into a drinking vessel; consuming from said drinking vessel the brewed coffee; removing said flow limiting means, said brew basket with the filter and coffee grounds therein, and said bladder and disposing them.

84. In the method of Claim 83, steps comprising sealing in a second tamper-evident package every non-hydrated entity operable to come into contact with a second brew; opening said second package; said second package having a second bladder, second brew basket, second filter, and second package of sealed ground coffee; removing said second bladder from the package; supporting said second bladder; measuring water to be heated in said second bladder; pouring water therefrom into a heating device; assembling in a snug fit contiguous to said second supported bladder a second brew basket; inserting a second filter into said second brew basket; opening a second package of sealed ground coffee and pouring the contents thereof into said second brew basket; placing a water limiting means over the second brew basket; pouring hot water into the water flow limiting means so it seeps into the second brew basket; collecting the resultant brewed coffee in said second bladder; dispensing said brewed coffee in a manner precluding contamination of said supporting structure into a second drinking vessel; consuming from said second drinking vessel the brewed coffee; removing said flow limiting means, said second brew basket with the second filter and coffee grounds therein, and said second bladder and disposing them.

85. In the method of Claim 83, the additional step of substantially insulating the collected brew in said bladder from heat conduction.

86. In the method of Claim 83, the additional step of conducting heat to said bladder.

87. In an apparatus for brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: a tamper-evident container; coffee; a brewing chamber; means for collecting brewed coffee; said coffee, said means, and said chamber being within said container; and means operable to conduct heat to said collecting means.

88. In the apparatus of Claim 6, a bladder; said heat conducting means comprising a metal surface on a structure supporting said bladder; said bladder being made of a material substantially resistant to heat degradation to a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

89. In the apparatus of Claim 88, said material being chosen from the group consisting of polyester film and polycarbonate film.

90. In a method of brewing coffee, the step comprising manipulation of coffee brewing apparatus and simultaneous shielding of the operator from directly facing accidental spraying by hot steam or hot water splash.

91. In apparatus for brewing coffee, the improvements comprising: means heating hot water and operable to dispense the heated water; means operable to brew coffee; said coffee brewing means operable to be manually placed proximate the dispensing end of said water heating apparatus; means shielding the operator during such manipulation from contact with the hot water dispensed from said water heating apparatus.

92. In the apparatus of Claim 91, said shield having a central plane; said central plane being substantially perpendicular to the flow of hot water from said heat dispensing apparatus into said coffee brewing apparatus; being substantially parallel to the displacement between said water dispensing apparatus and the position of the operator.

93. In a device for holding a coffee dispenser, where such device is wall mounted, a shield in front of and substantially parallel to the wall.

94. In an apparatus for dispensing coffee, means enclosing coffee dispenser, coffee brewing, and hot water apparatus; apertures port and starboard of the device for insertion of a combination coffee brewing and coffee dispensing device thereinto.