Tracy Adams

US Patent:

53887247, Feb 14, 1995

Filed:

Mar 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/207955

Inventors:

Tracy F. Adams - Apache Junction AZ
Pamela S. Adams - Apache Junction AZ

International Classification:

B65H 306

US Classification:

221259

Abstract:

A coffee filter storage and dispensing canister includes a container body having an interior compartment storing an inverted stack of coffee filters and one end with a dispensing opening for dispensing coffee filters therefrom, a cover removably fitted on an opposite end of the container body, a hold-down member disposed over the inverted stack of coffee filters, and a plurality of biasing elements disposed between the cover and hold-down member causing the hold-down member to exert a hold-down force on the inverted stack of coffee filters biasing the stack toward the dispensing opening of the container body. The canister also includes a filter separator crank and a filter retainer arm installed adjacent to the dispensing opening of the container body and extending within the interior compartment thereof. The filter separator crank is operable for separating a lowermost one of the coffee filters from the inverted stack thereof and moving the lowermost one filter from the container body through the dispensing opening to dispense the one filter therefrom. The filter retainer arm releasably engages the lowermost coffee filter and retains the remainder of the coffee filters of the inverted stack thereof within the container body as the lowermost one of the coffee filters is dispensed therefrom.