Single-serve coffee pods face a fundamental engineering challenge: managing the interaction between pressurized water (typically 9-15 bar) and ground coffee particles (ranging from 200-600 microns) through filter apertures as small as 0.05mm. The precision of this interaction directly affects extraction uniformity, brewing temperature stability, and ultimately, flavor development.

The core challenge lies in designing filter geometries that balance optimal extraction kinetics with manufacturing repeatability and cost effectiveness at scale.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including laser-processed filter apertures, non-woven deep-drawn filters, foam-based filtering elements, and hybrid powder-pellet systems. These and other approaches focus on achieving consistent extraction while addressing practical manufacturing and quality control requirements.

1. W-Shaped Filter Cup with Dual Wall Configuration for Coffee Machines

SUZHOU SHUNHEFENG HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TECH CO LTD, SUZHOU SHUNHEFENG HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2024

A W-shaped filter cup for coffee machines that prevents uneven coffee extraction due to excessive coffee powder in the filter. The W-shaped filter has an outer and inner filter wall connected at the bottom to a filter plate with holes. The space between the walls holds the coffee. The W shape reduces the maximum coffee height compared to a straight wall filter, preventing excessive coffee powder buildup that can cause uneven extraction.

CN220423728U-patent-drawing

2. Single-Serve Brewing System with Pods Featuring Extended Base Filters and Variable Grind Extraction

Sung Oh, 2023

A single-serve brewing system with customizable taste profiles using specialized pods. The pods have filters with extended bases that peel away from the container rim to create a gap. This allows the brewed beverage to drain out through the gap without contacting the brewer. The pods can pack more coffee grounds than traditional pods due to the larger volume inside and finer grind. The grind size and filter hole size can be varied to extract flavors at different pressures. The brewer can adjust temperature, time, and water ratio to further customize the taste.

3. Coffee Machine Filter Cup with Laser-Processed Apertures and Increased Wall Thickness

I Cherng Refrigeration Industrial Co., Ltd, 2023

A coffee powder filter cup for a coffee machine with a simplified manufacturing process that improves the coffee brewing quality compared to traditional filter cups. The filter cup has a bottom wall with apertures formed by laser processing instead of punching. The laser apertures have extending portions with widths of 0.05-0.4 mm and lengths of 0.2-2.0 mm. This allows straight, consistent walls compared to punched holes. The thicker wall thickness of 0.7-1.5 mm reduces the risk of clogging and over-extraction during brewing.

US20230329475A1-patent-drawing

4. Portion Capsule with Open-Pore Foam Filter for Beverage Brewing Systems

Tchibo GmbH, 2023

Portion capsule for brewing beverages like coffee using a capsule system. The capsule has a base element, cover element, interior space with extraction material, and a filter element made of an open-pore foam material. The foam filter separates the extraction material from the capsule base. The foam filter allows brewed beverage extraction without piercing or tearing the capsule. It simplifies capsule design and production compared to prior filters. The foam filter is inexpensive, easy to produce, and environmentally friendly. The foam filter prevents coffee grounds from entering the brewed beverage.

US20230286731A1-patent-drawing

5. Portion Capsule with Deep Drawn Non-Woven Fabric Filter Element

K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH, 2023

Portion capsule for making beverages like coffee with a filter element made of a non-woven fabric that is formed using deep drawing or molding techniques. The filter element is inserted into the capsule and secured to the capsule body. This allows creating a custom-shaped filter inside the capsule instead of using a separate filter holder. The deep drawing process forms the flat filter into a 3D shape to fit inside the capsule. The molded filter prevents clogging while allowing dissolution of the beverage particles. The deep drawing also allows making the filter elastic to resist perforation by the brewing device. The filter element can be attached to the capsule by sealing to prevent movement during brewing.

US20230286733A1-patent-drawing

6. Coffee Capsule with Mixed Non-Compacted Powder and Oversized Compacted Pellets

Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., 2023

Capsule for coffee machines with improved extraction characteristics. The capsule contains a mixture of non-compacted coffee powder and compacted pellets. The pellets are larger than the capsule interior diameter to prevent flow issues. The pellets delay extraction compared to fine powder, providing a more intense coffee with similar total solids. The mixture allows adjusting extraction kinetics and intensity without increasing powder weight.

US11724873B2-patent-drawing

7. Beverage Capsule with Annular Reinforced Filter and Membrane Configuration

SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A., 2023

Capsule design for brewing beverages like coffee using extractable products like ground coffee. The capsule has a unique filter design that improves extraction efficiency and reduces beverage loss. The filter has an annular reinforcing portion adjacent to the cup wall, with apertures between the reinforcing portions covered by a thinner filter membrane. This configuration allows the filter to be positioned inside the capsule with the membrane between the filter and the cup wall. This reduces stress on the filter during extraction and prevents large voids that can waste beverage volume and affect quality.

8. Coffee Filter Cup with Cylindrical-to-Rounded Transition and Distributed Bottom Filter Holes

LIU ZHENG, 2023

A coffee filter cup with an optimized shape to extract coffee more evenly and fully compared to traditional V-shaped filters. The cup has a unique cylindrical top section that gradually transitions into a rounded bottom. This allows water to infiltrate and filter coffee powder uniformly instead of preferentially filtering the sides of a V-shape. The cup is made of a single piece of stainless steel for strength and precision. The bottom has a row of narrow filter holes that distribute extraction evenly. This cup design extracts coffee with better body, aroma, and acidity compared to V-shaped filters.

9. Portion Capsule with Cutout Filter Element and Ultrasonically Sealed Configuration

GCS German Capsule Solution GmbH, 2022

Portion capsule for making beverages like coffee that has a unique filter element design to reduce brewing pressure requirements and simplify production. The capsule has a base, side wall, lid, and filter element inside. The filter has a cutout section with no filtering material. This allows water to flow more easily through the capsule during brewing, reducing the needed pump pressure. The filter cutout area is sealed between the capsule body and lid. The capsule is made by forming the filter material and connecting it to the capsule base using ultrasonic sealing. This allows tensioning and shaping the filter during production.

US11498750B2-patent-drawing

10. Coffee Filter with Dual-Path Water Distribution and Adjustable Flow Rate Mechanism

QINMAO IND CO LTD, QINMAO INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, 2022

Coffee filter with water volume adjustment function to improve brewing quality by regulating the water flow rate and temperature distribution. The filter has a cup with a step inside the opening, a water distribution plate that sits on the step, and a filter rod with a head. The step separates the water into two paths, one through the filter rod and the other around it. The distribution plate has a lower groove with a step and an upper groove. The filter rod supports rest on the step in the lower groove. This configuration allows adjusting the water flow rate by controlling the water path length. The step in the upper groove also helps with temperature equalization by spreading the water over the filter head.

11. Coffee Pod with Separable Rim and Integrated Drainage Gap for Enhanced Recycling and Clogging Prevention

Sung Oh, 2022

Single-serve coffee pod that allows easy recycling and reduces clogging issues. The pod has a container with a separable rim that can be peeled away during brewing to create a gap for the beverage to drain. This prevents contamination from using the same outlet needle for different flavors. The separable rim also allows recycling the container without removing the filter. The pod has a filter with a pocket to hold the coffee grounds. The lid seals the pod and the brewing process involves injecting hot water through the lid to extract the coffee. When brewed vertically, the base is pierced. When brewed horizontally, the gap forms and beverage drains through it.

US20220227574A1-patent-drawing

12. Beverage Capsule with Registration Element for Filter Alignment in Assembly

Nexe Innovations Inc., 2021

Beverage capsule with improved filter assembly alignment for consistent brew quality. The capsule has a registration element coupled to the filter web. This element temporarily engages the filter formation tool during assembly. It aligns the filter precisely in the container. The registration element has complementary features to the tool. It prevents the filter from shifting during assembly. This ensures consistent wall height and prevents contamination issues. The registration element is made of a material like polylactic acid. It can be welded to the filter web. The registration element can also have protrusions or indentations to guide the filter into the capsule. This prevents the filter from being too high or too low.

US20210401219A1-patent-drawing

13. Thermoformable Non-Woven Fabric Comprising Bicomponent PLA Fibers with Core-Shell Structure

Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, 2021

Thermoformable non-woven fabric for coffee capsules that has appropriate mechanical properties for capsule filters while being compostable. The non-woven is made from bicomponent fibers with a PLA core and PLA shell containing a plasticizer. The core-shell structure allows thermoforming to create deeper filter elements without breaking. The PLA composition provides elongation properties suitable for capsule filters. The thermoformable non-woven is compostable and can replace plastic-based filters.

14. Compostable Beverage Pod with Toroidal Receiving Portion for Enhanced Volume and Piercing Element Clearance

Nexe Innovations Inc., 2021

Compostable single-serve beverage pod for use in coffee machines that has increased beverage volume compared to conventional pods to optimize beverage strength and flavor. The pod design includes a toroidal-shaped receiving portion at the bottom that surrounds the piercing element of the coffee machine. This allows the pod to have a larger chamber for beverage material without the risk of the piercing element damaging the filter. The toroidal shape avoids contact with the piercing element while still allowing extraction through the filter. This maximizes the amount of beverage material in the pod, providing higher concentration and flavor compared to pods with reduced volume chambers to prevent piercing element damage. The compostable pod material allows for composting of the entire pod, reducing waste.

15. Biodegradable Coffee Pod with Internal Injector and Dual-Layer Filter Structure

CAFÉ RANCHEIRO AGRO INDUSTRIAL LTDA., 2021

A biodegradable single-serve coffee pod that allows gravity brewing with low water pressure like traditional coffee drip brewing. The pod has two layers of biodegradable filter material sealed around the coffee powder. An internal injector device inside the pod has vertical slots on its sides. When the pod is placed in a brewing machine, water enters through the slots and disperses into the coffee powder, mimicking the gravity flow of drip brewing. The injector keeps the layers spaced apart and prevents the pod from collapsing during brewing.

US20210347557A1-patent-drawing

16. Double-Walled Coffee Filter with Bayonet-Type Connection and Integrated Dispensing Hole

De'Longhi Appliances Srl, 2021

Double-walled coffee filter for machines that simplifies assembly, disassembly, and cleaning compared to prior art filters. The filter has a cup-shaped body, removable filter wall, seal, and tightening member. The tightening member has a bayonet-type connection to the body with tongues in slots. This replaces the prior multi-piece coupling member. The seal is fixed between the wall and body, and a disk on the tightening member seals against the wall. This allows easier assembly/disassembly and prevents disassembly during use. The tightening member also has a small dispensing hole facing the body to allow brewed coffee flow.

17. Portion Capsule with Multi-Layered Filter Element and Convex Base for Beverage Extraction

K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH, 2021

A portion capsule for making beverages like coffee, tea, and cocoa that prevents foam formation in the beverage while still allowing extraction. The capsule has a multi-layered filter element with an inner layer made by hot air spinning. This layer connects the outer layers and provides retention. The outer layers are nonwoven materials made from plastic fibers. The inner spinning layer prevents clogging and foam while the nonwoven layers provide strength. The capsule base has a convexity that receives the perforation tool to pierce the capsule without fully penetrating the filter. The filter is raised centrally but fastened peripherally to prevent slipping. The capsule also has a sealed exit with a tear-off tab for easy use.

US11084650B2-patent-drawing

18. Coffee Machine Assembly with Elastic Filter Tray and Adjustable Capacity Coffee Box

TSANN KUEN ENTERPRISE CO LTD, TSANN KUEN ZHANGZHOU ENTPR CO, 2021

Coffee machine assembly and coffee box design that improves coffee taste by preventing filter blockage and allows adjustable capacity without multiple coffee box sizes. The coffee extraction assembly has an elastic filter tray with holes aligned with the extraction groove in the drip tray. The coffee liquid enters the groove through the filter tray holes under pressure. This prevents filter blockage during extraction. The coffee box has a rotatable drip tray that can be positioned between fixed limiting structures inside the box. This adjusts the capacity without needing multiple box sizes.

EP3850996A1-patent-drawing

19. Beverage Cartridge with Puncture-Resistant Filter Coating and Dual-Compartment Structure

Ideators, LLC, 2021

Beverage cartridge with a filter coating to prevent punctures during extraction and increase beverage strength. The cartridge has a filter separating two compartments, one with the beverage medium and the other for finished beverage. A coating on the filter material increases puncture resistance to prevent extraction needles from piercing the filter and leaking beverage. This allows higher pressure extraction and contact time for stronger beverages without risk of leakage.

US10919691B2-patent-drawing

20. Beverage Capsule and Brewing System with Textured Filter Cup and Basket for Enhanced Ingredient Extraction

2266170 Ontario Inc., 2021

Beverage capsules, brewing systems, and making processes that optimize filtration for better tasting beverages. The capsules have a filter cup with a unique shape and texture that prevents tunneling and allows thorough extraction of the beverage ingredients. The brewing systems have a filter basket with a similar shape and texture. The capsule and basket designs slow down the flow of liquid through the filter and mix it better with the ingredients. This improves flavor extraction compared to conventional capsules and brewers that quickly tunnel through the grounds.

21. Filter Cup with Radial Grooves and Embedded Stops for Uniform Coffee Extraction

22. Single-Serve Pod Brewing System with Adjustable Grind Size, Extraction Time, and Temperature, Featuring Peelable Filter Extensions for Controlled Drainage

23. Coffee Filter Capsule with Integrated Pressurizing Element and Filter Assembly

24. Two-Stage Filtering Coffee Capsule with Nested Cup and Dual Mesh Configuration

25. Coffee Machine Filter with Removable Filtering Wall and Reversibly Fixing Seal

Innovations in coffee pod filter designs are revolutionizing how we enjoy our daily brew. By optimizing extraction and ensuring clarity, these advancements deliver richer flavors and smoother textures. As technology continues to evolve, we can look forward to even more improvements that make every cup of coffee not just a routine, but a delightful experience.

Get Full Report

Access our comprehensive collection of 34 documents related to this technology