WO2007025541A1

WO2007025541A1 - A disposable filtering cup

Info

Publication number: WO2007025541A1
Application number: PCT/DK2005/000552
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrik Skovgaard Rasmussen; Werner Schulz
Original assignee: Columbus E. Aps
Priority date: 2005-08-30
Filing date: 2005-08-30
Publication date: 2007-03-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a disposable filtering cup (1) comprising at least one filter arrangement (3), wherein said filtering cup (1) is at least partly formed by joined sheet material (15). According to the invention, a disposable filtering cup may advantageously be formed on the basis a sheet structure. The filtering cup has several important features and advantages in relation to e.g. material consumption, compact packaging of the brewing cup both prior to use and subsequent to the use, i.e. when the device is disposed.

Description

A DISPOSABLE FILTERING CUP

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a filtering cup and methods of using such filtering cup.

Background of the invention

A coffee maker such as described in USD448602S constitutes both a coffee maker and a coffee pot in one device. However, this kind of coffee maker requires cleaning after use and is not well-suited for one-time-use. The equipment is too expensive and is per se not suitable for disposal.

An example of a device for one-time-use related to the making of coffee is US4886674 disclosing a beverage making cartridge made of an air- and water- impermeable material and containing a product, which provides a beverage such as soup, chocolate or coffee when mixed in an aqueous medium. A web material is located in the sachet below the product. When using the sachet, pressurized liquid is introduced from the top of the sachet, into the sachet and through the sachet and the web material, whereby the bottom of the sachet is opened. The sachet may eventually be provided with a nozzle in the top of the sachet. A drawback of this invention is that pressurized liquid is required in order to utilize the device and dedicated equipment is needed for using it. Thus, a handheld-based brewing of coffee is not applicable.

One problem is to be able to make coffee of good and uniform quality without a machine or a coffee pot or a conventional coffee filter and funnel. This problem has at least partly been dealt with in US 5842408, which describes a solution in which a package contains a filter and a foldable funnel suited for arbitrary drinking cups. The illustrated solution suffers from the drawback that it is expensive to manufacture as the foldable funnel frame forms a body separate from the outer bag, and thereby complicating the manufacturing process. One of several problems addressed by the invention is a reduction in manufacturing costs, both with respect to the manufacturing process and with respect to consumption of materials needed for the device.

Another problem addressed by the invention is to avoid necessity of specialized brewing equipment.

Summary of the invention The invention relates to a disposable filtering cup comprising at least one filter arrangement, wherein said filtering cup is at least partly formed by joined sheet material.

According to the invention, a disposable filtering cup may advantageously be formed on the basis a sheet structure.

The filtering cup has several important features and advantages in relation to e.g. material consumption, compact packaging of the brewing cup both prior to use and subsequent to the use, i.e. when the device is disposed. According to the invention a cup should broadly be defined as a structure or drinking device by means of which a user may drink liquid contained in the cup. Thus, a cup may or may not comprise a handle arrangement. The handle arrangement may comprise one or several distinct handles. The cup may be more or less thermally insulated. The cup may be insulated continuously or partially.

The skilled person will recognize that a filtering cup designates a cup according to the above-stated definition incorporating the hybrid functionality of facilitating filtering of liquid poured into the cup and availing a user to drink the resulting filtering liquid in a manner corresponding to actions involving normal drinking from a conventional cup. In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup is a brewing cup.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filtering cup may be applied as a brewing cup. Likewise, it has also been established that the sheet structure may also be applied for the purpose of brewing hot beverages, e.g. coffee, tea, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention the sheet material makes the filtering cup expandable from collapsed structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filtering cup may form a folded structure comprising a minimum of air, thereby facilitating an advantageous compact packaging and transportation. Moreover, the filtering cup should preferably - and typically automatically due to the expandable nature.be collapsible or at least partly collapsible subsequent to use. In this way, the cup may advantageously be disposed requiring a minimum of space.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup comprising at least one brewing compartment formed at least partly by said filter arrangement.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brewing compartment is formed on the basis of sheet material, preferable joined sheets, thereby applying a sheet defined brewing compartment. Moreover, the filter arrangement should preferably form a further restriction to the brewing compartment.' This further restriction, based on the filter arrangement, should preferably facilitate enough space in the brewing compartment for an advantageous brewing process and preferably allow foaming necessary for the filtering or brewing process. According to the invention, an advantageous infusion process have been obtained facilitating a continuous contact between the aroma material and the liquid for a substantial time in spite of the fact that the invention relates to a relatively small device, basically intended for personal use. Moreover, the volume and the accessories required for the use of the cup may be restricted to an absolute minimum and the complete package size is compact and easy to use, both with respect to brewing and drinking.

I In an embodiment of the invention the brewing compartment comprises a free space, which is at least 20-100% of the brewing compartment volume.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, part of the brewing container should be left unfilled, and moreover such free space should ensure that any foaming or other reaction of expanding nature in the brewing container may be occur within the brewing compartment. Such free space or free volume may have a highly advantageous effect on a brewing process as the aroma defining substances may be kept within the brewing compartment in contact with the liquid to be brewed.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said brewing compartment is formed in or in the vicinity of the bottom of said cup.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filter arrangement is permanently joined to the cup.

The terms of permanently joining the • filter arrangement to the cup basically designates that the filter arrangement should be joined during manufacturing of the device as an integrated or attached filter structure. A joining may thus advantageously be obtained by means of heat or by means of adhesive. In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein the volume of said filtering cup is from about 50 milliliters to about 750 milliliters.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filtering arrangement is positioned to establish a filtering of liquid poured out of the cup while keeping aroma material residues in the cup.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, filtering should be performed sufficiently in order to avoid that a user drinks aroma material residues. Such filtering may thus be provided by the filter alone or in combination with a bypass arrangement having desired mechanical properties. Such mechanical properties may e.g. involve an establishment of one or several openings in the filter arrangement providing a bypass to liquid poured into the cup, e.g. in the form of an overflow arrangement 13 and moreover the bypass arrangement is designed to have no effect when a user drinks from the cup. Such design may e.g. comprise a cup where the bypass arrangement is positioned at the opposite side of the intended drinking support 12, thereby ensuring that aroma material residue is blocked by the bypass arrangement when drinking from the cup.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filtering arrangement has established a flow path

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said at least one filter arrangement is comprised within the cup. , . ^■ .

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter arrangement is incorporated within the cup. In an embodiment of the invention the said filtering cup comprises a bypass arrangement in the form of at least one filling opening by means of which aroma material may be filled into the filtering cup during manufacturing.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said at least one filter arrangement comprises at least two separate filters.

It is noted that further filters may be applied for several purposes. One purpose may be to keep different aroma materials in different filters or filter defined volumes and another purpose may e.g. be to optimize the filtering process. Such effect may e.g. be obtained by applying a two-filter system where the inner compartment has a higher density of though-holes and/or larger dimensions of the through-holes than the further compartment. An example of such multi- volume system may e.g. be an inner volume having through-holes in the dimensions of e.g. about 800-1000 μm and where the outer compartment closer to the outlet of the cup may comprise though- holes in the dimension of approximately 600 μm

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filter arrangement comprises a uniform filtering capability over the area of said filter arrangement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the filter arrangement has the same filtering capability in the entire or at least most of the area of the filter arrangement. This causes the same inlet resistance as outlet resistance so that the user can predict the outlet velocity of the brewed liquid.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filter arrangement having a bypass arrangement leading to a higher outlet resistance flow than the resistance of the inlet flow. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the filter arrangement is made with a bypass arrangement e.g. in the form of an overflow opening opposite the drinking edge thereby facilitating that liquid flowing into the brewing compartment obtains a higher input flow velocity then the filtered or brewed liquid leaving the brewing compartment. The bypass arrangement may in a specific embodiment of the invention be referred to as an overflow opening. This secures that the outlet flow is constant and slow minimizing the risk for damage from the hot brewed liquid

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said bypass arrangement comprises a valve arrangement.

A valve arrangement may comprise overlaid filter sheet material or cup sheet material establishing a bypass to the filter arrangement when pouring liquid into the cup and closes when the cup is emptied. , ^■

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filter arrangement has a higher inlet resistance than an outlet resistance with respect to flow of liquid to and from the cup.

In an embodiment of the invention, the inlet velocity is smaller than the outlet velocity. This enables the user to empty the brewing compartment fast and thereby minimize the time the user is concentrated when drinking e.g. when driving.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein the filter material comprises of a pattern of holes having dimensions in the range of 0.01 mm * 0.01 mm to 2.00 mm * 2.00 mm, preferably 0.1mm * 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm * 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm * 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm * 0.6 mm.

When applying a relatively small cup volume compared to larger containers, designing of the filter arrangement should be done with care as the dimensions of the cup may result in a slower flow when compared with e.g. larger filtering containers applying the same filtering material.

Thus, when e.g. applying the invention as a coffee brewer cup, relative large particle size of the coffee granules may advantageously be applied together with a slightly increased hole size in order to both obtain a secure obstruction with respect to the aroma material, an effective brewing which extracts as much of the desired aroma as possible and an outlet flow which may conform with the users desire when drinking from the cup. An example of such hole-size may e.g. be about 300-1000 μm. In this context it should be noted that the hole dimension should generally be adapted to match the applied aroma material dimension, at least with respect to aroma material residues which should be captured by the cup, when drinking from it.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said filter material is provided with a density of holes in the range of 1 - 30 holes per cm², preferably 2 - 20 holes per cm² and most preferably 4 - 12 holes per cm².

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the flow of the brewed liquid out of the filtering cup remains substantially constant, even when drinking in motion, thereby at least minimizing or reducing sudden output flush. The velocity of the flow out of the brewing cup depends heavily, among further important measures, such as the bypass arrangement, on the size and density of the holes in the filter material.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein the filter arrangement comprises two or further filters.

According to an embodiment two or further filters may be applied in order to e.g. establish separate filtering with respect to different aroma materials, different conditioning properties, flow resistance properties, complete filter efficiency, etc. In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein at least a part of said filter arrangement forms a flow reducer restricting flow from said cup of filtered or brewed liquid contained in the cup to an outlet of said cup.

According to a preferred and a very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the filter arrangement forms a restriction to brewed liquid flowing or at least directed from the device to the outlet. Thereby the risk of causing output flushing as a result of sudden movements of the cup may be reduced. This may both improve the user friendliness and moreover allow the user to apply the cup in environments, which may typically not be suitable for drinking of hot beverages without applying a lid with a hole. Thus, the cup may even be applied when the user is drinking in motion. Moreover, it is noted that sudden output flow when unintentionally squeezing the relative flexible sheet-based structure of the cup is reduced or at least counteracted.

According to the invention, the designing of filter arrangement between the filtering compartment and the inlet/output and the designing of optional bypass arrangement should be carefully designed to meet the users demand with respect to duration of input pouring and output of the filter or brewed liquid.

Specific important design parameters include filter structure, filter positioning, structure of the holes, mutual interaction between aroma material, liquid and filter, positioning of a bypass arrangement, dimensioning of bypass arrangement, effective liquid viscosity characteristics at the applied liquid temperatures, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said cup is collapsible.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cup is collapsible e.g. making the cup easy to transport and reuse: Moreover, and most importantly, the collapsed structure requires less effort with respect to disposal due to the fact that the complete disposable structure may easily be flattened and/or folded into a stable collapsed structure containing a minimum of air.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, is fitted with a supporting arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the disposable brewing cup should be supported with an arrangement compensation for thermal properties of the sheet material based cup, the mechanical stability of the entire cup which is based on a, by nature, relative non-rigid flexible bag-like structure or the handling properties for a user when applying the cup during normal use.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises cardboard.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the supporting arrangement comprises cardboard, specific corrugated cardboard or any other disposable material having the desired supporting properties.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said supporting arrangement is adhered to a continuous surface of the cup.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said supporting arrangement is adhered to at least a part of the joining forming the cup.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said supporting arrangement is heat insulating. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting arrangement is heat insulated, thereby preventing heat from the hot liquid inside the brewing cup from annoying the user of the filtering cup.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said supporting arrangement forms part of a handle/handle arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting arrangement comprises at least one handle. The handle reduces the difference between the disposable brewing cup and an ordinary cup.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said supporting arrangement is extended to cover only the side portions of the drinking cup.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the supporting arrangement of e.g. cardboard or a more rigid polymer structure may be applied to support the sidewalls of the cup only in the sense that the supporting arrangement extends over the sidewalls of the expanded cup

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said brewing compartment comprises aroma material.

Generally, the aroma material should refer to the aroma material forming basis for the filtering to be performed.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said aroma material is sealed within the disposable brewing cup. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, aroma material should be placed inside the brewing compartment during manufacturing.

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said aroma material comprises ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, milk powder, herb, fruit, meat, chocolate powder, vegetable grains, alcohol gels, encapsulated alcohol or any other materials such as a medical drug, which comprises or provides flavor, aroma, healing or other functionalities or any combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma material comprises coffee

In an embodiment of the invention the disposable filtering cup, wherein said aroma material is kept in contact with liquid poured into the cup within at least a substantial part of the filtering process.

In an embodiment of the invention said sheet material is substantially free of aluminum foil or other material critical for use in a microwave oven application.

According to an embodiment of the invention, which relate to a cup designed for application in a microwave oven, materials critical with respect to e.g. induction of electrical current to the microwaves should be avoided, partly or completely. In this context it should be noted that such a cup may actually be obtained without these materials, still having the desired properties of the cup.

In an embodiment of the invention said cup is provided with an opening from which a user may drink when the cup is expanded.

In an embodiment of the invention said opening is provide with a drinking edge. In an embodiment of the invention said drinking edge is formed by a multilayer sheet structure comprising at least two layers.

In an embodiment of the invention said drinking edge comprises at least one folded top end.

When applying a folded top end, a drinking edge may be obtained, both with respect to strength and stability of the opening and with respect to smoothness typically required by a user when drinking from a cup.

In an embodiment of the invention said drinking edge is strengthened by a strengthening structure material such as polymers, cardboard structures, incorporated within at least one top structure formed by a folded and fixed sheet.

In an embodiment of the invention said strengthening structure defines a mechanically stable cup opening when the cup is expanded.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cup opening should be mechanically stable when a user is drinking from the cup. This is in particular important when applying the cup for hot beverages. It is noted that such mechanical fixation may be obtained by several different measures depending on the desired application. Thus, for some purposes a mechanical click-open structure may be applied to keep the opening stable.

In an embodiment of the invention said cup opening is substantially cylindrical when the cup is expanded.

In an embodiment of the invention said cup comprises at least one handle completely or at least partly formed by multilayer structures of said sheet material. In an embodiment of the invention said cup comprises an outer compartment.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method of brewing liquid in a filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-43, comprising the steps of pouring liquid into the cup, heating the cup in a micro wave oven, drinking filtered liquid of the cup.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method of brewing liquid in a filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-43, comprising the steps of heating liquid, pouring liquid into the cup and drinking filtered liquid of the cup.

Moreover, the invention relates to a use of a filtering cup according to any of the claims 1- 43 for filtering of liquid.

The figures The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of which

fig. IA- 1C illustrate a disposable brewing cup according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 2A-2C illustrate a further disposable brewing cup according to a further embodiment of the invention, fig. 3 illustrates the brewing cup of fig. 2C. fig. 4 illustrates a brewing cup of fig. IA-C and 2A-2C comprising aroma material, fig. 5A-C illustrate an application of a brewing cup of fig. IA-C fig. 6A-C illustrate a microwave application of a brewing cup of fig. IA-C and 2A- C, fig. 7A-D illustrate different applicable supporting arrangements within the scope of the invention, fig. 8A-J illustrate different applicable supporting arrangements provided with a handle arrangement, fig. 9A-C illustrate a top cover arrangement, fig. 10A-B illustrate two further top cover arrangements within the scope of the invention, fig. 1 IA-B illustrate a double filter and where fig. 12, 13, 14A and 14B illustrate further advantageous embodiments of the invention,

Detailed description

Fig IA - 1C illustrates a disposable brewing cup 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. IA illustrates a front view of the disposable brewing cup 1, fig IB illustrates the essential sheet parts of the disposable brewing cup 1 of fig. IA and fig 1C illustrates a perspective view of fig. IA when partly expanded.

The disposable brewing cup 1 comprises a front sheet 15, a backing sheet 16 and a bottom sheet 4. The front sheet 15, backing sheet 16 and bottom sheet 4 are welded together with side welding 6, side welding 7 and bottom welding 5. A filter arrangement 3 is joined to the side welding 6, side welding 7, and welded to the front sheet 15 with partly continuous top welding 8 and welded to the backing sheet 16 with a continuous top welding 9.

Moreover, the cup comprises two sealing strips 48 which may keep the cup closed and optional aroma material encapsulated within the cup during storage prior to use.

When the cup is expanded, the contact between the sealing strips is broken and a cup opening 17 is defined.

The top welding 8 defines a bypass arrangement in the form of an overflow opening

13 at the front sheet 15. The top of the backing sheet 16 is extended and forms a drinking edge 12. The top of the drinking edge 12 is made by a top folded double layer 14 of sheet material providing a smooth edge easy and secure to drink of and moreover mechanically stable. The end of the folded top sheet 14 may typically be welded to the backing sheet near to the end and may or may not incorporate a strengthening structure within the fold. Such strengthening structure may e.g. comprise polymer based structures or e.g. cardboard sufficient to make the shape of the opening, i.e. the drinking shape, stable when a user is drinking from the cup. Moreover, it should be noted the drinking edge defined the intended drinking position.

The filter arrangement 3 comprises a polymer film comprising a number of holes 10 or small openings of an appropriate size. The sizes of the holes may be adjusted to the desired filter function with respect to the desired flow resistance and the applied aroma material.

The upper part of the cup forms a combined input and output compartment 11. This compartment is also partly defined by the filter arrangement.

The lower part of the cup forms a brewing compartment 2 partly defined by the filter arrangement and the wall defining sheets 15, 16 and 4 of the cup 1.

As explained above, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a brewing cup according to the provisions of the invention. It should however be stressed that the invention generally relates to a filtering cup which may be applied for filtering of cold and hot liquids. Examples of such applications may e.g. relate to the use of medicine or drugs, where a liquid suspension or mixture is wanted and solid residues are unwanted, either due to health considerations or user comfort.

A further variation within the scope of the invention comprises a handle structure formed completely or at least partly formed by multilayer structures of the sheet material. In other words, such a handle structure may be established by e.g. increasing the size of the welding 7 to form a handle-like structure formed by at least two layers of sheet material, preferably part the sheets 15 and 16. The welded sheets may comprise a continuous welding, a welding pattern or it may included strengthening structures applicable for the purpose such as further sheet layers included in the laminate or distinct structures applied for defining the shape of the handle.

Fig 2A illustrates a further embodiment of the invention prior to attachment of a supporting arrangement 18 to a brewing cup 1 according to fig. IA-C.

The supporting arrangement may e.g. comprise a cardboard-based structure having a rigidity, which is larger than the relatively low rigidity of the wall-defining sheet material.

The supporting material may comprise e.g. cardboard or corrugated cardboard, millboard, bubble pack or any suitable material.

Fig 2B illustrates a transparent embodiment of fig 2A after supporting arrangement 18 has been attached to the brewing cup 1. Fig 2C illustrates a perspective view of fig 2 A after attachment of the supporting arrangement 18.

In an embodiment of the invention the brewing cup 1 are at least partly covered by a supporting arrangement 18 having heat insulating properties. Such material may also comprise e.g. cardboard or corrugated cardboard, millboard, bubble pack or any suitable material.

Fig 2C illustrates the embodiment of fig. 2B. The supporting arrangement 18 may e.g. be attached to the front sheet 15 and the backing sheet (not shown) by a continuous joining. Such joining may e.g. be performed by gluing or heat welding. Alternatively, the supporting arrangement may be attached to the side welding 6 and side welding 7 or/and by adhesives to the front sheet 15. The supporting arrangement is attached similar to the backing sheet 16 as illustrated in fig 2B.

Fig 3 illustrates the brewing cup 1 of fig 2C in the preferred position for drinking. The brewing cup 1 is positioned with the backing sheet 16 downwards leaving the drinking edge 12, opposite the overflow opening 13, downwards. Holding the brewing cup 1 in this position while drinking is important to avoid not dissolved e.g. coffee grounds to flow through the overflow opening 13. Thereby it may be avoided that the filter arrangement provides a poor quality of the brewed e.g. coffee by allowing undesired un-dissolved aroma residues in the filtered liquid poured out of the cup.

Furthermore, the filter arrangement has a function as an integrated lid or barrier preventing or at least reducing the risk of brewed liquid to flow out of the brewing compartment 2 in case of overturning the brewing cup 1.

The filter arrangement furthermore has a function as a small size flow-reducer. The filter arrangement allows drinking hot liquid without the risk of burning oneself seriously when drinking in motion e.g. when driving, riding, walking, jogging.

Fig 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention partly expanded and now containing aroma material 22 inside the brewing compartment 2. The further mechanical structure basically corresponds to the embodiment of fig. IA-C. In an embodiment of the invention, the brewing cup 1 may be manufactured with aroma material 22 and then sealed. In practice, during manufacturing, the aroma material 22 may be filled into the brewing compartment 2 through the overflow opening 13. Subsequently, the atmosphere may be controlled by adding of e.g. nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

In an embodiment of the invention, said aroma material 22 comprises roast and/or ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, milk powder, herb, fruit, meat, chocolate powder, vegetable grains, alcohol gels, encapsulated alcohol or any combination thereof or any other materials such as medical drug which comprises or provides flavor, aroma, healing or other functionalities.

The embodiments of the invention shown in fig 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate three steps in the process of brewing a cup of liquid based on hot liquid by means of a cup according to e.g. fig. IA-C and reference number to the structure of the cup 1 will be referred to these figures. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig 5A hot liquid 24, from e.g. an electric boiler 23, is poured through a cup opening 17 into the outer compartment 11. The outer compartment serves as a further volume from which a user may conveniently drink and moreover as a sought of reservoir for retaining of brewed liquid slipping though the filter arrangement by mistake. Furthermore, this outer compartment may be applied by the user for the purposes of obtaining the desired temperature by cooling of the brewed liquid if the user perceives the brewed liquid to be too hot. A part of the hot liquid 24 flows to the brewing compartment 2 through holes 10 in the filter arrangement 3. Typically, the level of hot liquid 24 inside the compartment 11 reaches the overflow opening 13 and at least a part of the hot liquid 24 enters the brewing compartment 2 through the overflow opening 13. The overflow opening 13 ensures that the temperature of the hot liquid 24 poured into the compartment 11 remains at least almost constant in the time it takes the hot liquid 24 to flow from the e.g. electric boiler 23 to the brewing compartment 2 where it gets into contact with the aroma material 22.

Moreover, the overflow opening 13 ensures that the resistance of the filter arrangement to liquid flow does not slow down the input process too much and thereby annoying the user.

The brewing process starts when hot liquid 24 is poured into the brewing compartment 2 and gets into contact with the aroma material 22 and obtains aroma. Fig 5B illustrates the brewing cup 1 of fig 5 A during that period of time from about ¹A - S minutes it takes the hot liquid poured into the brewing compartment 2 to obtain aroma and become brewed liquid 25. The brewed liquid 25 may be kept inside the brewing compartment 2 until brewing is completed or whenever a user pours it out of the brewing cup 1.

Fig 5 C illustrates the brewing cup 1 of fig 5 A in the hand of a user 26 in a preferred position for drinking. The amount of hot liquid needed to brew a cup of liquid 25 is should be predefined and optionally marked on the front sheet 15 with a maximum limit indication 19. It is highly advantageous to the quality of the brewed liquid 25 that the level of hot liquid poured into the brewing compartment does not exceed the maximum limit indication 19.

The embodiments of the invention shown in fig 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate three steps in the process of brewing a cup of liquid based on cold liquid. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig 6A cold liquid 28, here water from a tab 27, is applied, but could also comprise of e.g. milk or soft drink. The cold water is poured through the filter opening 17 into the compartment 11 where a small part of the cold water 28 enters the brewing compartment 2 through holes 10 in the filter arrangement 3. Rapidly the level of cold water 28 inside the compartment 11 reaches the overflow opening 13 and at least a part of the cold water 28 enters the brewing compartment 2 through the overflow opening 13. The overflow opening 13 is made to secure that the resistance of the filter arrangement does not slow down the time needed to fill up the brewing compartment 2 with the necessary volume of liquid to brew a cup of brewed liquid.

The brewing process starts at least partly, depending on choice of aroma material, when cold water 28 is poured into the brewing compartment 2 thereby contacting the aroma material 22 and obtains aroma. If the aroma material is e.g. coffee ground or tea the cold water have to be heated up to make a cup of brewed liquid of a good quality.

Fig 6B illustrates the brewing cup 1 of fig 6A placed inside a microwave oven 29. To brew a cup of e.g. coffee or tea based on cold water requires the cold water to be heated up. The brewing cup 1 has to be inside a switched-on microwave oven 29 in a period of time ranging from ^ιΔ - 5 minutes depending on the effect of the microwave oven 29.

The overflow opening 13 is made to secure that the resistance of the filter arrangement does not make the brewing cup 1 explode from pressure emergence by the volume of air inside the brewing compartment 2 which will expand while heating up.

Fig. 6C illustrates the brewing cup 1 of fig. 6A in the hand of a user 26 in a preferred position for drinking.

The amount of cold liquid needed to brew a cup of brewed liquid 25 should be predefined and optionally marked on the front sheet 15 with a maximum limit indication 19. It is highly advantageous to the quality of the brewed liquid 25 that the level of hot liquid poured into the brewing compartment does not exceed the maximum limit indication 19.

Fig. 7 A - 7D illustrate different supporting arrangements 18 according to an embodiment of the invention. Note that the supporting arrangements 18 should facilitate easy and secure handling of the brewing cup 1 when filled with hot liquid.

The supporting arrangements 18 is preferably heat insulating so that the user easily and without burning fingers can handle and drink hot beverage of the brewing cup 1.

There are no limits for the design of the supporting arrangements 18 according to the invention, the different designs illustrated in fig. 7 A — 7D only show some possible designs. The design of the supporting arrangement 18 does not necessarily have to have any effect on the functionality of the supporting arrangement 18. On the other hand, the supporting arrangement 18 may advantageously be formed with a minimum of material to ensure that the sheet-based cup may be both expanded and stable and at the same time facilitates advantageous handling of the cup when a user pours liquid into the cup and, in particular, drinks from the cup.

Fig. 8A - 8J illustrate different handle 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 designs according to an embodiment of the invention. Note that the handle design should facilitate easy handling of the brewing cup 1 when filled with liquid. The handle 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 should thus facilitate fixation by a user of the brewing cup 1 when pouring liquid into the brewing cup 1. Moreover, the handle or handles 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 should facilitate fixation of the brewing cup 1 when discharging liquid from the cup. There are no limits for the design of the handle 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 according to the invention, the different designs illustrated in fig. 8 A — 8 J only show some possible designs. The design of the handle 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 can be made as part of the supporting arrangement 18 in that way that the user, depending on the user being left or right handed or need one or tow handles, can scratch or snatch the desired handle 30 out of the supporting arrangement 18.

Fig. 9A illustrates an unfolded top cover 36 for a brewing cup 1 as illustrated in fig. 9B. The top cover illustrated in figure 9B comprises a first top cover part 39, a further top cover part 40, a first top cover flap, a further top cover flap and an adhesive side flap 41. The top cover 36 is shaped by folding the first top cover part 39 and the further top cover part 40 at the folding line 43 so that the side of the first top cover flap 44 is fastened by the adhesive side^' flap 41.

Fig. 9C illustrates the top cover 36 seen from above and is shaped by first folding the first top cover flap 37 at the first top flap folding line 45 and afterwards folding the further top cover flap 38 at the further top flap folding line 46. Thereby, the first top cover outlet 20 is positioned below the further top cover outlet 21 forming the outlet 47 and thereby facilitating drinking from the cups through the thereby established hole.

The top cover 36 can, as described above, be formed by a further structure, which covers the opening of the brewing cup 1 or it can alternatively be formed by the cup forming sheets, thereby providing a top cover, which is an integrated part of the brewing cup 1, thereby minimizing the risk of leaking between the cup-forming sheets and the top cover structure

The top cover 36 may be formed from a relative thick polymer such as polystyrene and/or hybrid materials such as laminates of e.g. cardboard, metals, polymers, fibers, etc.

Fig. 1OA and 1OB describe further embodiments of a brewing cup 1 where a top cover 36 is integrated with a supporting structure 18. The supporting structure in fig. 1OA is formed by millboard whereas the supporting structure 18 of fig. 1OB is formed by bubble pack.

Fig. HA and fig. HB illustrate a disposable filtering cup 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention comprising two separate filters 10, 49.

The illustrated disposable cup basically corresponds to the cup illustrate in fig. IA to fig. 1C, now with the important modification that the cup 1 comprises two separate filter 10, 49 arranged within the cup.

The filters 10, 49 have different filtering properties. In particular, the filter 10 comprises through-holes having the dimension of approximately 600 μm whereas the filter 49 has through-holes in the dimensions of e.g. about 800-1000 μm It is noted that further filters may be applied for several purposes. One purpose may be to keep different aroma materials in different filters or filter defined volumes and another purpose may e.g. be to optimize the filtering process with respect to flow velocity. Such effect may e.g. be obtained by applying a two-filter system where the inner compartment has a higher density of though-holes and/or larger dimensions of the through-holes than the further compartment. An example of such multi-volume system may e.g. be an inner volume having through-holes in the dimensions of e.g. about 800-1000 μm and where the outer compartment closer to the outlet of the cup may comprise though-holes in the dimension of approximately 600 μm. Evidently, further volumes may be applied.

Fig. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention where a drinking edge 12 has been provided in relation to a cup opening. The illustrated drinking edge may e.g. be applied in the embodiments of fig. 1 to fig. 11 for different purposes.

The illustrated drinking edge 12 comprises a top folded double layer structure 14 welded to the backing sheet by means of a welding strip 51 by means of adhesive, melting, etc.

The folded double layer structure may evidently comprise further laminated or glued layers, e.g. provided for the purpose of obtaining a stable opening of the cup, when the cup has been expanded to a filling or drinking position.

The folded layer structure may furthermore comprise a strengthening structure (not shown) positioned within a compartment 52 defined by above explained folding.

One purpose may be that of obtaining a smooth drinking edge by means of which a user may drink in a user-friendly manner.

Another purpose may be to increase the stability of the cup opening when drinking. Fig. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of . the invention comprising a handle structure 53.

The handle structure may be fastened to the cup by means of welding or gluing to the side welding and/or the front sheet 15 and the backing sheet. The handle structure may be formed in the already described material suitable for the supporting arrangement and handling arrangements.

Fig. 14A and fig. 14B illustrate two further embodiments of the invention where a handle 54 has been provided by increasing the areas of the side welding 6. The above three illustrated embodiments may typically comprise the basic features and elements of fig. IA-C.

In an embodiment of the invention, said sheets of liquid-impermeable material comprises at least one film or foil selected from the group of metal foils, polymer films, metallized or coated films, polymer sealants, polyesters, polyamides and polyolefmes comprising polyethylenes and polypropylenes or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sheets of liquid-impermeable material of the brewing cup have a rigidity, which is large enough to allow the cup to be self- standing.

In an embodiment of the invention, said brewing cup has a liquid volume of approximately 0.1 liters to 1 liters, preferably 0.2 liters to about 0.7 liters, most preferably 0.2 liters to 0.5 liter.

In an embodiment of the invention, the brewing cup and the brewing compartment and the outer sealing are formed from sheets, webs, rolls or lengths of structural material. In an embodiment of the invention, said outer sealing comprises at least one polymer film, metallized or coated film, EvOH-coating, metal foil, sealant, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, the heat resistance of the structural material of the brewing cup and brewing compartment material is up to at least 100 ⁰C.

General construction principles, material choices, to all the above-described embodiments will be given below in order to avoid superfluous repetitive explanations to all or several figures.

Preferred choice of materials for the purpose of making a brewing device according to the embodiments of fig. 1-1 OB is outlined below.

Wall sheets 15, 16 of the brewing cup 1 may for example comprise a multi-layer laminate material comprising three layers: An outside layer made of PETP, an intermediate layer as barrier layer made of aluminum foil, e.g. a 9 μm foil and an inside layer forming a sealant comprising 150 μm high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The multi-layer laminate material may typically comprise two or further layers.

The bottom sheet 4 of the brewing cup may for example be made of a multi-layer laminate material comprising three layers: An outside layer made of coextruded biaxially oriented polypropylene, e.g. of a thickness of 20 μm, an intermediate layer as barrier layer made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) metallized and coated with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EvOH) and an inside layer forming a sealant comprising, e.g. a 50 μm linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The structural material of the outer compartment and/or brewing cup and/or outer sealing may comprise at least one polymer film, metallized or coated film, EvOH- coating, metal foil, sealant or combinations thereof.

The multi-layer structure of the structural material of the outer compartment and/or brewing cup and/or outer sealing may comprise an outside polymer film, an intermediate barrier layer and an inside layer of polymer sealant. The outside polymer film may e.g. have a thickness in the range of 1 μm - 80 μm, preferably 5 μm - 50 μm. The intermediate barrier layer may e.g. have a thickness in the range of 1 μm - 50 μm, preferably 2 μm - 30 μm. The inside layer of polymer sealant may e.g. have a thickness in the range of 1 μm - 400 μm, preferably 10 μm - 200 μm.

In an embodiment of the invention, a preferred combination of materials for a multilayer structure of the walls of the brewing cup or of a separate outer sealing may comprise an outside polymer film, an intermediate barrier layer comprising a metal foil and an inside layer of polymer sealant (e.g. HDPE).

Likewise in an embodiment of the invention, a preferred combination of materials for a multi-layer structure, which forms the bottom material of the brewing cup or of a separate outer sealing may comprise a similar multi-layer structure, wherein the intermediate metal foil barrier layer is substituted for a barrier layer comprising a polymer film being metallized and coated with e.g. EvOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol). In an embodiment of the invention, differences in flexibility of the wall material and bottom material of the brewing cup may be manipulated by substitutions, e.g. as described above, where the substitution of metal foil with a metallized film coated with EvOH may facilitate a more flexible multi layer material.

If the film material comprises a multi-layer structure, the inner layer may comprise a so-called sealant facilitating the desired brewing device defining gatherings and/or that the film is weldable to other film materials. The outer compartment and/or brewing cup material and/or outer sealing may comprise one or more films or foils such as metal foils, polymer films, metallized or coated films, polymer sealants, polyesters, polyamides and polyolefines comprising polyethylenes and polypropylenes or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, the wall material and bottom material of the outer compartment and/or brewing cup and/or outer sealing may comprise a material having a multi-layer structure, and the combination of materials for the multi-layer structure may comprise an outside polymer film, an intermediate barrier layer and an inside layer of polymer sealant (e.g. HDPE).

Wall- and bottom material of the brewing cup may preferably be forming a barrier for air, aroma, moisture, liquid and etc. The walls and bottom of the brewing cup may preferably be liquid- impermeable.

The bottom material of the brewing device may in an embodiment of the invention preferably be more flexible than the wall material. The walls being relatively rigid may contribute to make the brewing device self-supporting, e.g. as a stand-up pouch, the material of the brewing cup walls may have a rigidity, which is sufficient to allow the brewing cup to be self-supporting. The bottom material being more flexible may contribute to make the brewing device easy to unfold from an initially 'packed' state.

A further type of material may also be applied for strengthening the brewing device, especially when applied as a self-supported, self-standing brewing device. Such material may e.g. include paper, cardboard, sheets of woven fibers, etc. The polymer and/or metal sheets of the multi-layer structure forming the brewing cup may have a thickness in the range of 10 μm to 2 mm, preferably 40 μm to 500 μm, more preferably 60 μm to 200 μm and most preferably 80 μm to 150 μm.

In dependence of the material chosen the thickness may preferably be adjusted in order to obtain a rigidity, which allows the brewing cup to be self-supporting.

The bottom of the brewing cup may comprise a shape-sealed fold.

The brewing cup may in an embodiment comprise a translucent or at least semi- translucent liquid-impermeable material. The coating of an at least partly translucent brewing cup may comprise ceramic materials such as aluminum oxides, zirconium oxides, glasses based on silicium oxide or other coating materials such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EvOH) and combinations thereof. A translucent brewing cup may be of convenience in use as it is possible to observe the brewing process. The storage capabilities i.e. shelf life of the brewing cup before use may be reduced, as a translucent material is obviously not light-tight, but a sealing wrapped around the brewing cup may solve this problem. Furthermore, the translucent or at least semi- translucent liquid-impermeable material may comprise an UV-filter.

The filter arrangement material may comprise punctured etched, melted, stamped or cut material. The material may e.g. comprise plastic, polyolefϊnes such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides and other polymers, woven or non- woven expanded plastic, cloth, screen, wire-mesh, metal or injection-molded plastic.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holes formed in the heat- resistant polymer sheet, i.e. the filter should be predefined in position, density, size and/or shape. These predefined holes may be designed to match the applied aroma material in size, optimize through-pass of liquid to a desired flow-through time, withholding of aroma material in parts of the filter, minimizing of flow-back from the brewing compartment to the outer compartment if desired, etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, the liquid-permeable material is provided with a density of holes in the range of 1 - 30 holes per cm², preferably 2 - 20 holes per cm and most preferably 4 - 12 holes per cm².

In an embodiment of the invention, said holes have dimensions in the range of 0.01 mm * 0.01 mm to 2.00 mm * 2.00 mm, preferably 0.1mm * 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm * 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm * 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm * 0.6 mm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the liquid-permeable material of the filter arrangement is provided with holes, which have been created by laser perforation, stamping, cutting, etching or melting.

In an embodiment of the invention, the filter arrangement is made of a material selected from the group of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, polyamides or polyolefmes or other polymers.

The illustrated filter material comprises a polymer film comprising a number of discrete holes of an appropriate size obtained e.g. by stamping. The sizes of the holes may be adjusted to the desired filter function with respect to the applied aroma material.

Filter material may for example be made of 30 μm high-density polyethylene (HDPE) stamped with holes of 0.2 * 0.4 size and 8 holes per cm² density.

The filter arrangement, the brewing cup, and the outer sealing, may be formed as bags or pouches and may be assembled by weldings at the edges. The heat resistance of the structural material of the brewing cup and brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement may preferably be up to at least 100 ⁰C. Thus, the materials, of which the brewing device is manufactured, may preferably be resistant to the temperature of boiling water.

The filter arrangement material may comprise punctured etched, melted, stamped or cut material. The material may e.g. comprise plastic, polyolefines such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides and other polymers, woven or non- woven expanded plastic, cloth, screen, wire-mesh, metal or injection-molded plastic.

The brewing compartment material and or filter material may comprise a film material.

The brewing compartment material and or filter material may comprise a material, which is provided with holes, which have been created by stamping, cutting, etching or melting.

The liquid-permeability of the brewing compartment and/or filter material may for example be obtained by a perforation of small holes. The liquid-permeable material, which is provided with holes, may e.g. be described as punctured with a certain density of holes per cm².

The density of holes may be in the range of 1 - 30 holes per cm , preferably 2 - 20 holes per cm² and most preferably 4 - 12 holes per cm².

The dimension of each hole may be in the range of 0.01 mm ^• 0.01 mm to 2.00 mm ^• 2.00 mm, preferably 0.1mm ^• 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm ^• 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm ^• 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm ^• 0.6 mm In an embodiment of the invention, the preferred size of the hole is an elongated hole of the size 0.2 mm- 0.4 mm.

Generally, the shape of the holes may vary from application to application.

The dimension of the holes may be adapted to provide a brewing time in the range of 1-10 minutes, preferably approximately 2-6 minutes under atmospheric pressure.

The brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement may be made of a polymer material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefmes, etc.

The material of the brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement may preferably be welding compatible with a sealant of the brewing cup material.

The brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement may have a volume size in the range of 10 to 95 % of the brewing cup volume, preferably 50 % to 90 % of the brewing cup volume.

The volume size of the brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement may be established by different means such as the size of the brewing compartment and/or filter material sheets, and in an embodiment of the invention by the positions of specific weldings in the brewing compartment and/or filter material.

Generally, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the disposable brewing cup may be considered as a 'plug and play'-solution, meaning that the time for opening and using the device and the time to reach the final brewed product is rather short, the disposable brewing device being a quick and convenient high- quality solution for the consumer. Moreover, few external devices are required. The brewing time may in an embodiment of the invention be in the range of 0.5 minutes to an hour, preferably 1 to 10 minutes.

In an embodiment of the invention, the brewing device may be manufactured with a re-closable opening, e.g. in the top, and the brewing device may be provided with aroma material and closed. Next, the closed brewing device containing aroma material may be sold, and a user may open the closing, pour liquid, e.g. water, into the brewing device, close the brewing device at the re-closable opening, cut or rip a slip of the brewing device and pour out the finished brewed product, such as coffee.

Generally, a user of the brewing device may find that the brewing device is initially ready for use and typically no equipment is needed to support it during use, as well as no special equipment is usually needed for the brewing device to function. Moreover, atmospheric pressure may typically be sufficient and desired for using the brewing device, that is, no pressure besides the atmospheric pressure and the pressure exerted by the liquid itself is needed in order to make liquid, such as water, pass through the filter material. '

According to the present invention, a disposable device is intended for one or a few times of use.

The brewing device may be provided as a sealed package containing aroma material. This is typically an advantage, as the user may then be able to brew a beverage just by supplying a certain liquid.

When the brewing device is used for brewing of coffee, the brewing process may involve that ground coffee are mixed with water, causing an infusion process during which the ground coffee and water may interact, which may include that the ground coffee gives aroma to the water and thereby bringing about a coffee beverage. The disposable brewing device according to the invention may generally be used to prepare different hot beverages such as coffee, espresso, latte, mocha, tea, hot chocolate, etc. Thus, some suitable liquids to apply may be water, milk, etc, and the aroma material may comprise roast and/or ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, milk powder, herb, fruit, chocolate powder, vegetables, grains or any combination thereof or any other materials which comprises or provides flavor or aroma or other functionalities.

The disposable brewing device according to the invention may also generally be used to prepare different cold beverages such as ice tea, ice coffee and soft drinks.

Other functionalities than flavor or aroma may for example be color, consistency, energy, etc.

The invention is in particular suitable for brewing on the basis of aroma material requiring active infusion due to the structure of the aroma material. Such an aroma material may e.g. comprise coffee as coffee granules are typically clogged when mixed passively with liquid unless a significant volume is applied as a brewing cup, thereby counteracting the desired interaction between the aroma material and the hot liquid.

The brewing cup, the brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement, and/or the outer sealing may be formed from sheets, webs, rolls or lengths of structural material.

Generally forming all parts of the brewing device out of e.g. webs of structural material contributes to a simple and cost-saving manufacturing process.

The brewing cup, the brewing compartment, and/or the filter arrangement may each be formed out of one single sheet of structural material. Alternatively, they may be formed from two, three or more sheets of material that are assembled to form the brewing cup and/or the brewing compartment or filter arrangement.

The structural material of the outer compartment and/or brewing cup and/or outer sealing may be a film material.

A film material according to the invention may comprise a single or a multi-layer structure. The layers may be laminated, mutually welded, or generally gathered.

A laminate composition of the structural material may facilitate a material, which is light, tight and stabile during manufacturing, storage and handling of the brewing device.

The structural material of the outer compartment and/or brewing cup and/or outer sealing may be coated with a protective film and/or a barrier layer. In case the structural material itself is not light tight, it is preferred to coat it in order to protect the aroma material contained.

When the brewing device is packed with aroma material such as ground coffee beans having a tendency to loose aroma when exposed to the surroundings, it is of crucial importance that the barrier layer is tight, especially when the amount of aroma material is relatively small compared to larger coffee packages.

Generally, the materials of the brewing device may have a rigidity and heat stability adequate to secure stability during manufacture and handling of the brewing device.

Moreover, the brewing device may comprise an insulating wall structure at least partly surrounding the brewing cup. Such a thermo structure may e.g. comprise air or gas-filled compartments. The bottom material and wall material may preferably be adjusted according to each other in order to provide a brewing cup, which may expand easily.

The brewing device may in an embodiment of the invention be formed of mutually welded film materials. The inside of the outer sealing or brewing cup material may be weldable to the brewing compartment material.

The volumes of the brewing compartment and the out compartment may be adjusted with respect to each other in order to create a space for interaction between liquid and aroma material. E.g. in coffee brewing, an infusion process may hereby be facilitated.

Generally, different shapes and localizations of the brewing compartment and/or filter arrangement may be provided in order to adjust the flavor concentration and strength of the beverage. Thereby the design of the brewing device comprising brewing and outer compartments may inherently contribute to the adjustment of a beverage. If the beverage for example is coffee, the design may influence the coffee to be mild, strong, etc.

The brewing cup may be equipped with a handle. The handle, which may attain different shapes and be mounted to the brewing cup in different ways, may allow the user to lift, move and tilt the brewing cup safely. Still with the objective of making the brewing cup easy and safe to handle, it may be preferred to equip the brewing cup with two or several handles.

Claims

1. A disposable filtering cup (1) comprising at least one filter arrangement (3), wherein said filtering cup (1) is at least partly formed by joined sheet material (15, 16).

2. A disposable filtering cup according to claim 1, wherein said filtering cup is a brewing cup (1).

3. A disposable filtering cup according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet material makes the filtering cup (1) expandable from collapsed structure.

4. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein said filtering cup (1) comprising at least one brewing compartment (2) formed at least partly by said filter arrangement (3).

5. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the brewing compartment comprises a free space, which is at least 20-100% of the brewing compartment volume.

6. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-5, wherein said brewing compartment is formed in or in the vicinity of the bottom of said cup (1).

7. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein said filter arrangement is permanently joined to the cup.

8. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the volume of said filtering cup is from about 50 milliliters to about 750 milliliters.

9. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-8, wherein said filtering arrangement is positioned to establish a filtering of liquid poured out of the cup (1) while keeping aroma material residues in the cup (1).

10. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-9, wherein said filtering arrangement has established a flow path

11. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-10, wherein said at least one filter arrangement is comprised within the cup (1).

12. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-11, wherein said filtering cup comprises a bypass arrangement (13) in the form of at least one filling opening by means of which aroma material may be filled into the filtering cup during manufacturing.

13. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-12, wherein said at least one filter arrangement comprises at least two separate filters (10, 49).

14. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-13, wherein said filter arrangement comprises a uniform filtering capability over the area of said filter arrangement.

15. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-14, wherein said filter arrangement having a bypass arrangement (13) leading to a higher outlet resistance flow than the resistance of the inlet flow.

16. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-15, wherein said bypass arrangement comprises a valve arrangement.

17. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-16, wherein said filter arrangement has a higher inlet resistance than an outlet resistance with respect to flow of liquid to and from the cup.

18. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-17, wherein the filter material comprises of a pattern of holes having dimensions in the range of 0.01 mm * 0.01 mm to 2.00 mm * 2.00 mm, preferably 0.1mm * 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm * 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm * 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm * 0.6 mm.

19. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-18, wherein said filter material is provided with a density of holes (10) in the range of 1 - 30 holes per cm², preferably 2 - 20 holes per cm² and most preferably 4 - 12 holes per cm².

20. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-19, wherein the filter arrangement comprises two or further filters.

21. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims l-20,wherein at least a part of said filter arrangement (3) forms a flow reducer restricting flow from said cup of filtered or brewed liquid contained in the cup to an outlet (17) of said cup.

22. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-21, wherein said cup is collapsible.

23. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-22, wherein said cup (1) is fitted with a supporting arrangement.

24. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-23, wherein said supporting arrangement (18) comprises cardboard.

25. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims l-24,wherein said supporting arrangement (18) is adhered to a continuous surface of the cup (1).

26. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-25, wherein said supporting arrangement is adhered to at least a part of the joining (6, 7) forming the cup (1).

27. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-26, wherein said supporting arrangement is heat insulating.

28. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-27, wherein said supporting arrangement forms part of a handle/handle arrangement.

29. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-28, wherein said supporting arrangement is extended to cover only the side portions of the drinking cup.

30. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-29, wherein said brewing compartment (2) comprises aroma material (22).

31. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-30, wherein said aroma material is sealed within the disposable brewing cup.

32. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-31, wherein said aroma material comprises ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, milk powder, herb, fruit, meat, chocolate powder, vegetable grains, alcohol gels, encapsulated alcohol or any other materials such as a medical drug which comprises or provides flavor, aroma, healing or other functionalities or any combination thereof.

33. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-32, wherein said aroma material is kept in contact with liquid poured into the cup within at least a substantial part of the filtering process.

34. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-33, wherein said sheet material is substantially free of aluminum foil or other material critical for use in a microwave oven application.

35. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-34, wherein said cup is provided with an opening (17) from which a user may drink when the cup is expanded.

36. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-35, wherein said opening is provide with a drinking edge.

37. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-36, wherein said drinking edge (14, 12) is formed by a multilayer sheet structure comprising at least two layers.

38. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-37, wherein said drinking edge comprises at least one folded top end (14).

39. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-38, wherein said drinking edge is strengthened by a strengthening structure material such as polymers, cardboard structures, incorporated within at least one top structure formed by a folded and fixed sheet.

40. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-39, wherein said strengthening structure defines a mechanically stable cup opening when the cup is expanded.

41. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-40, wherein said cup opening is substantially cylindrical when the cup is expanded.

42. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-41, wherein said cup comprises at least one handle completely or at least partly formed by multilayer structures of said sheet material.

43. A disposable filtering cup according to any of the claims 1-42, wherein said cup comprises an outer compartment (11) .

44. Method of brewing liquid in a filtering cup (1) according to any of the claims 1- 43, comprising the steps of pouring liquid into the cup (1), heating the cup (1) in a micro wave oven (29); drinking filtered liquid of the cup ( 1 ) .

45. Method of brewing liquid in a filtering cup (1) according to any of the claims 1- 43, comprising the steps of heating liquid (24) pouring liquid into the cup (1) and drinking filtered liquid of the cup (1).

46. Use of a filtering cup (1) according to any of the claims 1- 43 for filtering of liquid.