15 patents in this list

Updated: February 06, 2024

This page showcases the latest innovations and designs in coffee pod technology, focusing on the development of efficient and user-friendly coffee pod designs.

The design of a coffee pod plays a crucial role in delivering a consistent and high-quality coffee experience. A well-designed pod ensures optimal extraction of flavors and aromas, allowing coffee enthusiasts to enjoy a rich and flavorful cup of coffee with every brew. The design also affects the convenience and ease of use, enabling users to effortlessly prepare their favorite coffee without any mess or hassle.

Coffee pod design comes with its own set of challenges. The pod needs to have a secure and airtight seal to preserve the freshness and quality of the coffee. It should be compatible with a variety of coffee machines, ensuring a seamless brewing experience for all users. The design should also strike a balance between the amount of coffee grounds and the water flow to achieve optimal extraction. Additionally, sustainability is an important consideration, with the need for eco-friendly materials and design practices to minimize waste and environmental impact.

1.  Dissolvable Single-Use Beverage Pods for Instant Coffee or Tea Preparation

Ruben Perez, Maria Perez, 2023

Single-use dissolvable beverage pods containing coffee or tea powder that instantly makes a beverage when dropped into hot or cold water. The pods have a water-soluble body made of food-grade materials that dissolves 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.

US20230232855A1-patent-drawing

2.  Biodegradable Beverage Capsule with Enhanced Flavor Release for Single-Serve Machines

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 Enhanced Flavor Extraction Technology

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.

US20230189836A1-patent-drawing

4.  Reusable Coffee Capsule with Sealable Film for Multiple Uses

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.

5.  Reusable Coffee Capsule Manufacturing Tool for Improved Sealing and Durability

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.

US20220355959A1-patent-drawing

6.  Mechanism for Enhanced Brew Head Movement in Capsule Coffee Machines

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.

US20220346590A1-patent-drawing

7.  Biodegradable Beverage Capsule with Enhanced Barrier Properties for Improved Flavor Extraction

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.

8.  Reusable and Eco-Friendly Coffee Pod System with Enhanced Flavor Extraction

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.

9.  Capsule Design for Brewing Turkish Coffee in Standard Coffee Machines

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.

US11142393B2-patent-drawing

10.  Dual-Capsule System for Coffee Machines with Integrated Water Source for Improved Flavor Extraction

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.

11.  Hybrid Coffee Capsule Design for Improved Pressure-Brewed Flavor

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.

US20210253336A1-patent-drawing

12.  Coffee Capsule Design for Brewing Creamy, Foamy Beverages

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.

US20200062495A1-patent-drawing

13.  Enhanced Coffee Capsule Design for Optimal Flavor Extraction in High-Pressure Machines

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.

14.  Buckling-Resistant Coffee Pod with Improved Filter Sealing for Single-Serve Machines

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.

US10450131B2-patent-drawing

15.  Espresso Coffee Capsule with Enhanced Crema and Air Bubble Reduction Filter Design

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.

Request the PDF report with complete details of all 15 patents for offline reading.