Coffee filter

Abstract

A filter assembly that includes a receptacle, filter, and filter holder. The receptacle has an inside surface defining an open-ended first through-channel. The filter is positioned inside the first through-channel and configured to produce a filtered liquid by filtering particulates each larger than a predetermined size from a liquid. The filtered liquid exits the filter through an outlet opening of the filter. The filter holder removably couples the filter to the receptacle. A holding area configured to receive the liquid is defined in the first through-channel above the filter holder and between the filter and the inside surface of the receptacle. The filter holder includes an open-ended second through-channel in fluid communication with the outlet opening and configured to receive the filtered liquid from the outlet opening. The second through-channel is configured to be in fluid communication with an interior of a container and to provide the filtered liquid thereto.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coffee filter assembly comprising:
 a receptacle comprising an inside surface defining a through-channel, the through-channel comprising an upper opening opposite a lower opening, the upper opening being configured to receive a liquid;   a filter member positioned inside the through-channel, the filter member being configured to allow the liquid to pass therethrough but to prevent coffee grounds from passing therethrough; and   a filter holder member configured to removably couple the filter member to the receptacle at a location between the upper and lower openings, a coffee grounds holding area being defined in the through-channel above the filter holder member and between the filter member and the inside surface of the receptacle, the coffee grounds holding area being configured to receive the coffee grounds.   
     
     
         2 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter member comprises a screen configured to allow the liquid to pass therethrough but to prevent the coffee grounds from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter member comprises a flange,
 the filter holder member comprises a plurality of tabs configured to form a bayonet mount with the flange, and   the bayonet mount removably couples the filter holder member and the filter member together.   
     
     
         4 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle comprises inside threads,
 the filter holder member comprises outside threads configured to engage the inside threads, and   engagement between the inside and outside threads couples the filter holder member to the receptacle.   
     
     
         5 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises a handle configured to be gripped by a user. 
     
     
         6 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flange that extends outwardly from the receptacle and is configured to rest on a rim of a container.   
     
     
         7 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the flange comprises at least one aperture that provides visibility inside an interior of the container when the flange is resting on the rim of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The coffee filter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the through-channel extends along a longitudinal axis,
 the filter member extends upwardly along the longitudinal axis toward the upper opening,   the flange comprises an outer portion configured to rest on the rim of the container and an offset portion that extends downwardly below the outer portion, and   the offset portion is configured to help prevent the coffee filter assembly from slipping off the rim when the coffee filter assembly is bumped or pushed laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         9 . A filter assembly for use with a container having an interior, the filter assembly comprising:
 a receptacle comprising an inside surface defining an open-ended first through-channel;   a filter positioned inside the first through-channel, the filter comprising an outlet opening, the filter being configured to filter particulates each larger than a predetermined size from a liquid to produce a filtered liquid, the filtered liquid exiting the filter through the outlet opening; and   a filter holder configured to removably couple the filter to the receptacle, a holding area configured to receive the liquid being defined in the first through-channel above the filter holder and between the filter and the inside surface of the receptacle, the filter holder comprising an open-ended second through-channel in fluid communication with the outlet opening and configured to receive the filtered liquid from the outlet opening, the second through-channel being configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and to provide the filtered liquid to the interior of the container.   
     
     
         10 . The filter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the particulates each larger than the predetermined size are first particulates,
 the filter comprises a screen configured to prevent the first particulates from passing through the screen and to allow second particulates to pass through the screen, and   the second particulates are each smaller than the predetermined size.   
     
     
         11 . The filter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the filter comprises a flange,
 the filter holder comprises a plurality of L-shaped bracket members configured to form a bayonet mount with the flange, and   the bayonet mount removably couples the filter holder and the filter together.   
     
     
         12 . The filter assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the receptacle comprises inside threads,
 the filter holder comprises outside threads configured to engage the inside threads, and   engagement between the inside and outside threads couples the filter holder to the receptacle.   
     
     
         13 . The filter assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a flange that extends outwardly from the receptacle and is configured to rest on a rim of a container.   
     
     
         14 . The filter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the flange comprises at least one aperture that provides visibility inside an interior of the container when the flange is resting on the rim of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first through-channel extends along a longitudinal axis,
 the flange comprises an outer portion configured to rest on the rim of the container and an offset portion that extends downwardly below the outer portion, and   the offset portion is configured to help prevent the filter assembly from slipping off the rim when the filter assembly is bumped or pushed laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         16 . A pour-over coffee maker for use with water and coffee grounds, the pour-over coffee maker comprising:
 a funnel-shaped receptacle comprising an open upper end opposite an open lower end, the upper open end being configured to receive the water and the coffee grounds into the funnel-shaped receptacle;   a filter holder removably coupled to the open lower end of the funnel-shaped receptacle; and   a filter removably coupled to the filter holder and positioned by the filter holder between the open upper end and the open lower end inside the funnel-shaped receptacle, the water and the coffee grounds combining to form coffee inside the funnel-shaped receptacle when the funnel-shaped receptacle contains the water and the coffee grounds, the filter being configured to filter the coffee grounds from the coffee as the coffee travels through the filter.   
     
     
         17 . The pour-over coffee maker of  claim 16 , wherein the filter is removably coupled to the filter holder by a bayonet mount. 
     
     
         18 . The pour-over coffee maker of  claim 16 , wherein the funnel-shaped receptacle comprises first threads,
 the filter holder comprises second threads, and   the filter holder is removably coupled to the open lower end of the funnel-shaped receptacle by the first and second threads.   
     
     
         19 . The pour-over coffee maker of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a flange that extends outwardly from the funnel-shaped receptacle and is configured to rest on a rim of a container.   
     
     
         20 . The pour-over coffee maker of  claim 19 , wherein the flange comprises at least one aperture that provides visibility inside an interior of the container when the flange is resting on the rim of the container. 
     
     
         21 . The pour-over coffee maker of  claim 19 , wherein the funnel-shaped receptacle extends along a longitudinal axis,
 the flange comprises an outer portion configured to rest on the rim of the container and an offset portion that extends downwardly below the outer portion, and   the offset portion is configured to help prevent the pour-over coffee maker from slipping off the rim when the pour-over coffee maker is bumped or pushed laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis.