Single-use cup

Abstract

A cup assembly including a body having an open upper end for receiving a fluid within an interior portion of the body defined by a generally continuous sidewall and a closed lower end. A filter assembly is disposed within the interior portion, and divides the interior portion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter assembly includes a perimeter portion fixedly engaging the sidewall, and a filter portion through which the fluid is capable of passing when the fluid moves between the upper and lower chambers. The perimeter portion includes a plurality of flanges disposed about a perimeter of the filter assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cup assembly, comprising:
 a body having an open upper end for receiving a fluid within an interior portion of the body defined by a generally continuous sidewall and a closed lower end; and   a filter assembly disposed within the interior portion, dividing the interior portion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber;   wherein the filter assembly comprises a perimeter portion fixedly engaging the sidewall, and a filter portion through which the fluid is capable of passing when the fluid moves between the upper and lower chambers, and wherein the perimeter portion comprises a plurality of flanges disposed about a perimeter of the filter assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly further comprises an upper portion having a central opening, a lower portion having a central opening, and the filter portion disposed between the central openings. 
     
     
         3 . The cup assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the upper portion comprises the perimeter portion. 
     
     
         4 . The cup assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion is fixedly engaged to the lower portion by heat pressing. 
     
     
         5 . The cup assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a material, and the upper portion comprises the material. 
     
     
         6 . The cup assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the lower portion comprises the material. 
     
     
         7 . The cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly is fixedly engaged to the sidewall by heat pressing. 
     
     
         8 . The cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each flange is fixedly engaged to the sidewall by heat pressing. 
     
     
         9 . The cup assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an infusible material disposed within the lower chamber for infusion with the fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The cup assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the infusible material comprises a plant material. 
     
     
         11 . The cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a material, and the perimeter portion comprises the material. 
     
     
         12 . The cup assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid releasably attachable to the body over the open end.