TEA FILTER PACK FOR AUTOMATIC BREWERS

摘要

A conformable, self-aligning, high extraction efficiency tea filter pack (1) 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 s ubstantially consistent pot-to-pot brew strength for any given automatic drip coffee make r. The preferred filter pack is formed from two layers ( 10, 20) of flexible material which are secured to one another about their outerm ost periphery with a predetermined quantity of tea leave s (50) housed within a brew chamber (40) formed between the two layers (10, 20). Th e brew chamber (40) exhibits a maximum volume between about 100 percent and about 400 percent greater than the volume of the dry t ea leaves contained therein. The discharge flow rate (F3 ) from the brew chamber is slower than the inlet flow rate (F1) into the brew chamber to permit a buildup of water and flooding of the brew chamber (40). The flexible conformable side wall surrounding the brew chambe r (40) extends upwardly a vertical distance which is at least sufficient to capture enough hot water to totally immerse the brew cha mber (40) when the brew chamber (40) is in its fully exp anded condition. This causes the tea leaves (50) within the chamber (40) to expand andfloat throughout the remaining portions of the brew cycle, thereby establishing a steady state brewing condition which is highly effect ive in maximizing tea/water contact as the hot water pas ses through the brew chamber (40) on its way to the pot.