Importance

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Abstract

A conformable, self-aligning, high extraction efficiency tea filter pack capable of flavor extraction efficiencies comparable to those obtained using an identical quantity of bulk tea leaves and a paper filter under identical brewing conditions, but which exhibits substantially consistent pot-to-pot brew strength for any given automatic drip coffee maker. The preferred filter pack is formed from two layers of flexible material which are secured to one another about their outermost periphery with a predetermined quantity of tea leaves housed within a brew chamber formed between the two layers. The brew chamber exhibits a maximum volume between about 100 percent and about 400 percent greater than the volume of the dry tea leaves contained therein. The discharge flow rate from the brew chamber is slower than the inlet flow rate into the brew chamber to permit a buildup of water and flooding of the brew chamber. The flexible conformable sidewall surrounding the brew chamber extends upwardly a vertical distance which is at least sufficient to capture enough hot water to totally immerse the brew chamber when the brew chamber is in its fully expanded condition. This causes the tea leaves within the chamber to expand and float throughout the remaining portions of the brew cycle, thereby establishing a steady state brewing condition which is highly effective in maximizing tea/water contact as the hot water passes through the brew chamber on its way to the pot.

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First Claim