IP Library Granted Patent US 12,226,042
Granted Patent B2
US 12,226,042 · App. 17/420,205 · Granted Feb 18, 2025

Single-serve packaging, and machine and method for preparing a brewed beverage

Inventors: Kerstin Fernandes De Carvalho (Bielefeld, DE); Jan Pahnke (Minden, DE); Holger Feldmann (Willich, DE)
Assignee: Melitta Single Portions GmbH & Co. KG
A47J31/3623B65D85/8064
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,226,042
App. No.
17/420,205
Granted
Feb 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A single-serve packaging comprising a liquid-permeable filter material that surrounds a chamber in which an extraction material is arranged. The chamber is equipped with a movable closure device which can be moved from a closed position into a position that opens the chamber, wherein at least one marking is provided on the movable closure device in order to identify the single-serve packaging. A machine and a method for preparing a brewed beverage.

Claims (10)

1. A method for preparing a brewed beverage, comprising the following steps:

inserting a single-serve product formed by a single-service packaging ( 8 ) comprising a liquid-permeable filter material containing an extraction material in the form of an extractable food or beverage product into a holder ( 7 ) of a machine ( 1 );

detecting a marking ( 11 ) on a closure device ( 84 ) on an upper side of the single-serve packaging ( 8 ) by a detection unit ( 11 ) of the machine ( 1 ), wherein the closure device ( 84 ) comprises a plurality of pivotable flaps which in the open position circumferentially surround an opening to the chamber ( 80 );

opening the closure device ( 84 ) and moving the marking ( 11 ) of the single-serve packaging ( 8 ) via an action of the machine in response to the detection unit detecting the marking ( 11 ) indicating a closed single-serve packaging ( 8 );

supplying hot water to the opening at the top of the single-serve packaging ( 8 ) and brewing a beverage, and

collecting the brewed beverage under the single-serve packaging ( 8 ).

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, wherein the step of opening takes place by the machine applying hot water to the single-serve packaging ( 8 ) in order to open it, by causing swelling of the closure device, which causes individual flaps of the packaging to swing open, and after a waiting time, and after detection of a successful opening of the single-serve packaging ( 8 ), hot water is again applied to the opened single-serve packaging ( 8 ) in order to brew the beverage.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the detection unit ( 12 ) checks whether the single-serve packaging ( 8 ) has been opened after the first application of hot water.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a dispensing of hot water is blocked no single-serve packaging ( 8 ) is detected in the holder ( 7 ).

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a dispensing of hot water is blocked if an already opened single-serve packaging ( 8 ), is detected in the holder ( 7 ).

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE DATE OF EXECUTION PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 73144 FRAME: 316. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Dec 15, 2025
From: 10X INNOVATION GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA EUROPA GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA PROFESSIONAL COFFEE SOLUTIONS GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA SINGLE PORTIONS GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA UK LTD.
To: GLOBAL LOAN AGENCY SERVICES GMBH, AS SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 073937/0791 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2025
From: 10X INNOVATION GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA EUROPA GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA PROFESSIONAL COFFEE SOLUTIONS GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA SINGLE PORTIONS GMBH & CO. KG; MELITTA UK LTD.
To: GLOBAL LOAN AGENCY SERVICES GMBH, AS SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 073144/0316 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2021
From: FERNANDES DE CARVALHO, KERSTIN; PAHNKE, JAN; FELDMANN, HOLGER
To: MELITTA SINGLE PORTIONS GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 056735/0715 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2019 101 538.3 · Jan 22, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220061581A1 · Mar 3, 2022
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