Coffee filter and annular retainer

Filter apparatus for containing coffee grounds from which favoring components are separated by liquid and permitting the discharge of liquid with dissolved flavoring components while blocking the passage of ground coffee with the dissolved flavoring components, comprising a basket for receiving liquid therein and having a bottom wall and a perimetric wall joined to the basket bottom wall to extend thereabove, the basket bottom wall having at least one liquid discharge opening, a paper filter in the basket for containing coffee grounds while permitting the passage of liquid with dissolved flavor components therethrough, said filter having a bottom wall supported by the basket bottom wall and a perimetric wall portion joined to the filter bottom wall to extend thereabove and upwardly along the basket perimetric wall, and an annular retainer within the basket to limit collapsing movement of the filter perimetric wall portion, said retainer being surrounded by the filter perimetric wall portion and having a bottom edge, an inner peripherial surface, a top edge, and means defining a plurality of openings adjacent to the retainer bottom edge for permitting liquid flow to and from within the confines of the retainer, the retainer having a non-perforated, vertically extending wall portion that has the inner surface and is of an area substantially greater than the area of said openings, the retainer bottom edge being adjacent to the filter bottom wall and supported by the filter bottom wall, the retainer top edge extending to a higher elevation than the basket bottom wall and the maximum level that the liquid rises to in the basket, the filter bottom wall being located vertically between the retainer bottom edge and the basket bottom wall and said retainer being removable from the basket separate from the filter to leave the filter bottom wall in contact with the basket bottom wall.