Coffee Pod Designs
Single-serve coffee pods face a fundamental challenge in achieving optimal extraction: the brief contact time between water and grounds (typically 20-30 seconds) must deliver consistent flavor profiles while managing pressure gradients and flow dynamics. Current designs struggle to balance extraction uniformity with practical constraints like shelf stability and manufacturing costs.
The core engineering trade-off exists between maximizing flavor extraction through optimal water distribution and maintaining the structural integrity needed for storage, handling, and brewing.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including biodegradable capsule architectures with controlled dissolution properties, reusable pod systems with specialized filter designs, and innovative water flow management approaches. These and other developments focus on delivering consistent extraction while addressing environmental sustainability and user experience requirements.
1. Water-Soluble Beverage Pod with Biodegradable Protective Cover
Ruben Perez, Maria Perez, 2023
Single-use dissolvable beverage pods containing coffee or tea powder that instantly make a beverage when dropped into hot or cold water. The pods have a water-soluble body made of food-grade materials that dissolve completely in water. A biodegradable cover protects the pod before use. This allows users to make coffee or tea without machines or appliances by simply dropping a pod in water. The dissolvable materials reduce waste compared to traditional sachets.
2. Biodegradable Beverage Capsule with Polysaccharide Body and Crosslinked Coating
Swiss Coffee Innovation AG, 2023
A biodegradable beverage capsule for single-serve coffee machines that has a polysaccharide capsule body filled with beverage powder and coated with crosslinked polysaccharide layers. The capsule disintegrates in water to release the beverage powder when brewed. The crosslinked polysaccharide coating stabilizes the capsule without using metals or plastics. The capsule can be fully biodegradable if made of plant-based fibers and alginate coatings.
3. Biodegradable Beverage Capsule with Crosslinked Polysaccharide Shell and Compacted Powder Core
SWISS COFFEE INNOVATION AG, 2023
Biodegradable capsule for containing beverage powders like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. The capsule has an inner core made by compacting the powder, and outer shell made of crosslinked polysaccharide like calcium alginate. The capsule is made by pressing the beverage powder into a compacted pellet, coating the pellet with a polysaccharide solution, crosslinking the polysaccharide to form a shell, and drying it.
4. Coffee Extraction Cup with Interchangeable Chambers and Flow Control Mechanism
HEBEI TAIGU COFFEE CO LTD, 2022
Multifunctional coffee extraction cup with adjustable extraction time and flavor control. The cup has two interchangeable extraction chambers - a conical chamber and a trapezoidal chamber - that allow water to flow through coffee at different rates. This increases extraction time and flavor. The cup also has a shut-off device with intercepting holes that can be opened or closed to further control extraction. The chambers can be swapped, the extraction time adjusted, and the flavor fine-tuned by intercepting water flow.
5. Reusable Coffee Capsule with Shell, Sealing Film, and Compression Hoop Mechanism
Xiaofeng LIU, 2022
A coffee capsule that can be filled multiple times with coffee powder and reused, reducing waste and cost compared to disposable capsules. The capsule has a shell to hold the coffee and a sealing film covering the shell opening. A hoop compresses the film edge against the shell to seal it. This allows the capsule to be filled and sealed with coffee multiple times while still fitting capsule coffee machines.
6. Coffee Capsule Sealing Tool with Die Holder, Pressing Die, Alignment Guide, and Reinforcement Mechanism
Xiaofeng LIU, 2022
Tool for making coffee capsules that can be reused and refilled with coffee grounds. The tool has a die holder and pressing die to seal the capsule body. A guide piece helps align the sealing film with the capsule opening during pressing. The tool also has an annular gland and hoop to attach after sealing to reinforce the capsule.
7. Capsule Coffee Machine with Cover-Activated Sliding Rod for Brew Head Positioning
GUANGDONG BAISHENGTU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2022
A capsule coffee machine with a cover that opens and closes to reveal the capsule chamber. The cover has a sliding rod inside that connects to the brew head. When the cover is closed, the rod moves to separate the brew head from the seat. When the cover is opened, the rod moves to bring the brew head and seat together. Opening and closing the cover thus moves the brew parts to insert/remove capsules.
8. Biodegradable Beverage Capsule with Polysaccharide Body and Polyvinyl Alcohol Coating
SWISS COFFEE INNOVATION AG, 2022
Beverage capsule that is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The capsule uses a polysaccharide capsule body coated with polyvinyl alcohol and a polysaccharide layer. The coating layers provide gas barrier and water resistance. The capsule can be filled with beverage powder like coffee, tea, cocoa. It is suitable for beverage preparation by introducing water into the capsule.
9. Reusable Coffee Pod System with Open-Bottomed Ring and Biodegradable Filters
John Mamtsaderis, 2022
Reusable single-serve coffee pod system that is environmentally friendly and provides a better tasting cup of coffee. The pod system consists of a reusable open-bottomed ring and disposable filters. The filters are biodegradable and can be quickly and easily assembled and disposed of using a dedicated assembly station.
10. Capsule with Pressure-Responsive Retaining Wall and Non-Linear Openings for Turkish Coffee Preparation
NESTEC S.A., 2021
A capsule for making Turkish coffee in a standard coffee machine. The capsule contains coffee grounds and has a thin retaining wall with openings that break when pressure rises during brewing. The openings are non-linear shapes surrounded by linear elements. This allows the capsule to be used with a regular coffee machine that injects pressurized water. The Turkish coffee is made by the combination of the thin retaining wall that opens with pressure and the coffee grounds inside. The result is a coffee that has the characteristic dark crema and fine sediment particles like traditional Turkish coffee.
11. Coffee Capsule System with Integrated Water Capsule and Sequential Perforation Mechanism
Leon GIOCHAIS, 2021
A coffee capsule with a separate water capsule containing water and a hole to release it into a coffee machine. This avoids using machine water for coffee and allows using bottled water. The capsules insert together into a machine and the perforator punctures the coffee capsule first before the water capsule releases water. This keeps the coffee contained while the water flows out.
12. Coffee Capsule with Roast and Ground Coffee Positioned Adjacent to Outlet and Integrated Soluble Coffee
LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A., 2021
A coffee capsule that allows a machine to produce a coffee beverage with taste and body similar to filter coffee. The capsule contains roast and ground coffee plus soluble coffee. By having a majority of roast and ground coffee and arranging it closer to the outlet side of the capsule, the capsule can be brewed at higher pressure without clogging.
13. Coffee Brewing Method with Clockwise Petal-Shaped Water Injection Pattern
NANJING RUOZHAO TRADING CO LTD, 2020
Brewing coffee in a petal-shaped pattern to extract coffee with higher mellowness, sweetness, and longer lasting flavor. The method involves wetting the filter, filling it with coffee, and slowly injecting water in a clockwise petal-like sequence. This extracts the coffee gradually and allows it to absorb more water before dripping. This prevents overextraction and produces a smoother, sweeter cup with fuller coffee taste.
14. Coffee Capsule with Fat-Milk Protein-Lactose Blend and Perforable Sealing Cover
FrieslandCampina Nederland B.V., 2020
A coffee capsule that when brewed in a coffee machine produces a hot creamy liquid. The capsule contains a specific blend of fat, milk protein, and lactose to create a creamy texture and good foam when brewed. The capsule also has a sealing cover that perforates during brewing to allow dispensing of the creamy liquid.
15. Coffee Capsule with Enlarged Volume and Tearable Foil Extraction Member Featuring Optimized Opening-to-Tearing Ratio
Nestec S. A., 2019
A coffee capsule for making intense and aromatic coffee extracts in high-pressure coffee machines using a tearable foil extraction member. The capsule has a larger volume and opening diameter than existing capsules. This allows packing more coffee grounds for a stronger extraction. The ratio of the opening size to the tearing portion on the extraction plate is optimized to limit extraction of certain undesired coffee compounds.
16. Coffee Pod with Sloped Sidewall and Stacking Shoulder for Enhanced Structural Stability and Sealing
Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, 2019
A coffee pod for single-serve coffee machines that resists buckling when pierced. The pod has a container body with a sloped sidewall, bottom wall, and stacking shoulder. The sloped sidewall helps strengthen the body against buckling when the bottom wall is pierced. The sidewall also has an improved sealing surface for the filter inside to minimize unadhered portions and prevent ground coffee from bypassing the filter.
17. Espresso Capsule Filter with Optimized Hydraulic Resistance for Crema Density and Air Bubble Prevention
CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A., 2018
Espresso coffee capsule with a filter that improves extraction quality by creating a more dense, even layer of crema and avoiding air bubbles in the coffee. The filter is designed to provide the optimum hydraulic resistance for emulsifying the espresso coffee during extraction while still allowing the water to pass through. This creates a more even, consistent flow of coffee that prevents air bubbles from forming.
18. Single Serve Coffee Capsules with Synthetic Polymeric Filter and Specific Ground Coffee Particle Size
Liberatore A. Trombetta, YuCheng Fu, Daud Ahmed Khan, 2015
Single serve coffee capsules with improved extraction efficiency and reduced loss of flavor components compared to conventional capsules. The capsules contain ground roast coffee with an average particle size of 300-800 µm, brewed using hot water for 20-90 seconds. The capsules have a filter made of synthetic polymeric material instead of paper. This allows better extraction of lipids and flavor compounds from the coffee grounds during brewing, as the polymer filter has lower absorption compared to paper.
19. Coffee Brewing System with Low-Pressure Pod Featuring Jetting Apertures and Specific Bed Cross-Section
KRAFT FOODS R & D INC, 2015
A system, pod, and method for brewing high-quality coffee beverages using lower pressures than conventional espresso machines. The system operates at pressures below 8.5 bar. The pod has a unique internal structure with multiple jetting apertures and a bed with a specific cross-sectional area. This design allows brewing coffee at lower pressures while still producing good quality beverages. The lower pressure system is suitable for domestic coffee makers. The pods are also oriented during brewing to optimize extraction.
Innovations in coffee pod design are transforming how we enjoy our daily brew. By improving flavor extraction and embracing eco-friendly practices, these advancements offer a better-tasting coffee while reducing environmental impact. As technology continues to evolve, we can look forward to even more exciting developments that make our coffee experience richer and more sustainable.
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