Disposal of Coffee Pods: Recent Innovations

Single-use coffee capsules that are biodegradable and compostable, while having a good barrier function with regard to oxygen and water vapor. The capsule contains a polymer formulation that includes polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB) and optionally silicates, vitamin E, and proteins. The capsule container is injection molded from this biodegradable polymer blend and filled with coffee powder. The capsule also has a biodegradable seal. The PHB-based capsules have barrier properties comparable to aluminum capsules but can biodegrade in industrial and home composting.

A tool for easily opening and separating used aluminum coffee capsules for recycling. The tool has a concave cutter with protruding blades that fit around the capsule and cut through the foil cover when rotated. The tool can also have a detachable spoon for scooping out the coffee grounds. This allows the capsule to be quickly disassembled into recyclable metal and organic waste components.

Reusable single-serve coffee pod system that reduces landfill waste while maintaining flavor compared to disposable plastic pods. The system uses a reusable ring, lid, and disposable filter to make a pod that can be used in single-serve brewers. After brewing, the ring releases the filter for easy cleaning. The pod assembly apparatus facilitates filling and assembling the pods.

Espresso machine that automatically separates coffee grounds from the pod after brewing, allowing easy recycling. The machine has a separate waste collection system. It opens the used pod after brewing and separates the spent coffee grounds from the pod body. The grounds are collected for disposal or composting while the empty pod body is recycled. This allows efficient recycling of the pod components without degradation of coffee quality or contamination from biodegradable materials.

Device for separating single-use coffee pods into recyclable components for recycling. The device features a handle with teeth that penetrate and separate the foil lid from the pod, and ridges that dislodge the coffee filter from the pod rim. This allows the plastic pod, foil, and filter to be individually recycled, while the coffee grounds can be composted.

A reusable brewing filter for coffee machines that has an integrated cleaning mechanism to easily remove spent coffee grounds after brewing. It has a basket-shaped body with perforations to hold coffee grounds while allowing water to flow through for brewing. The body can be opened to access the cleaning mechanism. When inverted, rotating the mechanism inside scrapes and ejects the used grounds.

Biodegradable single-use beverage containers that rapidly break down after use. The containers are made from two or more different biodegradable materials, such as bio-plastics or cellulose, that decompose at different rates. The faster decomposing material accelerates decomposition of the slower material when they are mixed together in the container.

A coffee machine with a used capsule disposal assembly that enables extracting beverage from capsules and then opening and emptying them for recycling. The machine has a mechanism that moves used capsules to a cutting device that opens the capsule lid with a partial cut to allow access to the contents. It also has a scraping device to extract all the beverage from the capsule. The machine separates the opened capsules from unopened ones and collects the empty capsules for recycling. The extraction chamber is removable for cleaning. The cutting blade has an opening to prevent full lid detachment. The machine extracts, opens, empties and collects used coffee capsules for recycling.

Device for separating single-serve infusion capsules like coffee pods into their recyclable components, such as plastic and aluminum, for recycling. The device has a base with an aperture to receive the capsule body and a plunger to push the capsule through the aperture. The base has a undulating surface surrounding the aperture that cause the capsule to deform and separate when pushed through.

A compostable lid for sealing a capsule containing coffee, such as a coffee pod. The lid is made of layers that satisfy the conditions of use in coffee machines while being compostable. The lid has a support layer, an oxygen barrier layer, an adhesive layer, and a non-woven layer containing biodegradable fibers. The lid can seal the capsule without tearing when pierced, prevent coffee grounds from passing through, and provide an oxygen barrier. The lid layers are arranged in different configurations to balance properties.

Biodegradable coffee pod system as an environmentally friendly single-serve coffee option. The system comprises a biodegradable pod made of filter material containing coffee grounds, a reusable holder to keep the pod in place during brewing, and a resealable low-waste packaging for transporting multiple pods. The biodegradable pod can be placed in a compatible coffee machine, brewed like a regular coffee pod, and then disposed after use. The system aims to reduce the waste of single-serve coffee pods by providing a biodegradable alternative.

A device to easily and safely dismantle used coffee pods for recycling. The device has a handle, pod holder, and cutter. The pod holder securely holds the coffee pod while the cutter slices through the shell to open it. This allows the pod components to be separated and recycled. The cutter can be adjusted to cut just the shell or cut through the filter inside as well. An adapter is provided to accommodate smaller pods in the holder.

Simple and efficient recycling of used coffee capsules, particularly aluminum capsules, by providing a shipping bag designed for collecting and transporting the damp waste in a sealed and liquid-tight manner. The bag has adhesive strips for closure to prevent leaks during shipping. This allows users to easily recycle used coffee capsules without the need for cleaning them.

A device for compressing and discharging used coffee pods to reduce their size and make disposal easier. The device includes a chamber that holds the pod, a plunger that compresses the pod, and an ejection mechanism to discharge the compressed pod. The plunger is moved back and forth using a handle to compress the pod inside the chamber. Once compacted, the ejection mechanism pushes the compressed pod out of the chamber for disposal.