Method and improved apparatus for separating and dispensing coffee filters

Claim 1

A coffee filter container for containing at least one coffee filter and for singularly dispensing at least one coffee filter comprising: a generally cylindrical sidewall member having a sidewall top; a filter support member secured to said generally cylindrical sidewall member for supporting at least one coffee filter; a top assembly removably secured to said generally cylindrical sidewall member, said top assembly comprising a structure defining a top planar member, a pair of arms secured to said top planar member in a generally planar relationship, a pair of stop members having a stop member size and secured to said arms, and a lid member pivotally secured to said top planar member and substantially extending across said top planar member and having a structure defining a pair of cut-outs with cut-out openings slightly larger than the stop member size of said stop members; a means, secured to said lid member, for engaging a filter member; said means for engaging filters comprises a pair of bifurcated stanchion members secured to said lid member, a tube member secured to respective ends of said pair of bifurcated stanchion members and having a pair of tube recesses; and a gripping assembly pivotally secured to said tube member and defining a gripping body having a structure defining a pair of gripping arms having secured thereto a pair of opposed protruding ear members with ear ends which rotatively reside in said tube recesses, a generally T-shaped flexible arm assembly secured to the gripping body, and a blade secured to the gripping body and having a structure defining teeth having at least one blunted tooth and at least one pointed tooth.

Claim 10

An apparatus for containing at least one coffee filter and for dispensing at least one coffee filter comprising: a generally hollow body; a base secured to said generally hollow body; a top assembly removably engaged to said generally hollow body and comprising a top planar member having a structure defining a first arm member secured to said top planar member, a second arm member secured to said top planar member, a first stop member secured to said first arm member, a second stop member secured to said second arm member, said top assembly comprising a lid member pivotally secured to said top planar member and substantially extending across said top planar member and having a structure defining a first cut-out having a first cut-out opening and a second cut-out having a second cut-out opening; and a means, secured to said lid member for engaging a filter.

Claim 11

An apparatus for containing at least one coffee filter and for dispensing at least one coffee filter comprising: a generally hollow body; a base secured to said generally hollow body; a top assembly removably engaged to said generally hollow body and comprising a top planar member having a structure defining a first arm member secured to said top planar member, a second arm member secured to said top planar member, a first stop member secured to said first arm member, a second stop member secured to said second arm member, said top assembly comprising a lid member pivotally secured to said top planar member and substantially extending across said top planar member and having a structure defining a first cut-out having a first cut-out opening and a second cut-out having a second cut-out opening; and a means, secured to said lid member for engaging a filter.

Claim 12

A method for separating a single coffee filter from a plurality of superimposedly stacked coffee filters comprising the steps of: (a) providing a coffee filter container and dispenser comprising a generally hollow body, a base secured to said generally hollow body, a top assembly removably engaged to said generally hollow body comprising a pivotally disposed lid member and a pair of oppose stop members, and a means for engaging a filter comprising a pair of bifurcated stanchion members, a tube member secured to respective ends of said pair of bifurcated stanchion members and having a pair of tube recesses; a gripping assembly pivotally secured to said tube member and defining a gripping body having a structure defining a pair of gripping arms having secured thereto a pair of opposed protruding ear members with ear ends which rotatively reside in said tube recesses, a generally T-shaped flexible arm assembly secured to the gripping body, and a blade secured to the gripping body and having a structure defining teeth having at least one blunted tooth and at least one pointed tooth; (b) providing superimposedly stacked coffee filters; (c) removing said top assembly and placing said coffee filters in said generally hollow body; (d) closing said lid member of said top assembly; (e) pivotally lifting on said lid member to simultaneously swing said means for engaging a coffee filter towards an edge of a single coffee filter; (f) pulling said single coffee filter with said means for engaging of step (e) between said stop members to produce said single coffee filter.

Claim 13

A method for separating a single coffee filter from a plurality of superimposedly stacked coffee filters comprising the steps of: (a) providing a coffee filter container and dispenser comprising a generally hollow body, a base secured to said generally hollow body, a top assembly removably engaged to said generally hollow body comprising a pivotally disposed lid member and a pair of oppose stop members, and a means for engaging a filter comprising a pair of bifurcated stanchion members, a tube member secured to respective ends of said pair of bifurcated stanchion members and having a pair of tube recesses; a gripping assembly pivotally secured to said tube member and defining a gripping body having a structure defining a pair of gripping arms having secured thereto a pair of opposed protruding ear members with ear ends which rotatively reside in said tube recesses, a generally T-shaped flexible arm assembly secured to the gripping body, and a blade secured to the gripping body and having a structure defining teeth having at least one blunted tooth and at least one pointed tooth; (b) providing superimposedly stacked coffee filters; (c) removing said top assembly and placing said coffee filters in said generally hollow body; (d) closing said lid member of said top assembly; (e) pivotally lifting on said lid member to simultaneously swing said means for engaging a coffee filter towards an edge of a single coffee filter; (f) pulling said single coffee filter with said means for engaging of step (e) between said stop members to produce said single coffee filter.