IP Library Granted Patent US 12,685,403
Granted Patent B2
US 12,685,403 · App. 18/024,294 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Filter holder and coffee machine

Inventors: Jan Roesler (Berlin, DE); René Korte (Hannover, DE)
Assignee: 10X Innovation GmbH & Co. KG
A47J31/0605
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,685,403
App. No.
18/024,294
Filed
Mar 2, 2023
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3761
USPC
99/299
Abstract

A filter holder for receiving a filter with extraction material, in particular ground coffee, has a receptacle portion having a bottom and at least one bottom-side flow-through opening on which a valve for opening and closing the flow-through opening is arranged. The valve can be moved by means of a linear actuator and can thus be controlled to set the brewing time. Further provided is a coffee machine having such a filter holder.

Claims (17)

1 . A filter holder ( 1 ) for receiving a filter with extraction material, comprising a receptacle portion ( 2 ) having a bottom ( 23 ) and at least one bottom-side flow-through opening ( 3 ) on which a valve ( 4 ) for opening and closing the flow-through opening ( 3 ) is arranged, wherein the valve ( 4 ) is configured to be moved by means of a linear actuator ( 5 ),

wherein the flow-through opening ( 3 ) on the bottom side is connected via a tube ( 8 ) to an outlet ( 7 ) on the bottom side of the filter holder ( 1 ) for dispensing an extraction product,

wherein the tube ( 8 ) is made of an elastic material,

wherein the movable valve ( 4 ) is connected to an upper section ( 81 ) of the elastic tube ( 8 ) via a tappet ( 53 ) and a connector ( 30 ).

2 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a curved body ( 42 ) with at least one curved guide ( 43 ) provided between the valve ( 4 ) and the linear actuator ( 5 ).

3 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the valve ( 4 ) is movable in a vertical direction and a plunger ( 6 ) of the linear actuator ( 5 ) is movable in a horizontal direction.

4 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator ( 5 ) is passed through the connector ( 30 ) on the tube ( 8 ), said connector being movable in a vertical direction with the valve ( 4 ) with the connector.

5 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an upper section ( 81 ) of the tube ( 8 ) between the flow-through opening ( 3 ) and the connector ( 30 ) comprises at least one bellows.

6 . A filter holder ( 1 ) for receiving a filter with extraction material, comprising a receptacle portion ( 2 ) having a bottom ( 23 ) and at least one bottom-side flow-through opening ( 3 ) on which a valve ( 4 ) for opening and closing the flow-through opening ( 3 ) is arranged, wherein the valve ( 4 ) is configured to be moved by means of a linear actuator ( 5 ),

wherein the linear actuator ( 5 ) is fixed to an underside of the bottom ( 23 ), and a movable plunger ( 6 ) of the linear actuator ( 5 ) is passed through a bushing ( 45 ) of a connector ( 30 ) which is movable in the vertical direction together with the valve ( 4 ).

7 . A filter holder ( 1 ) for receiving a filter with extraction material, comprising a receptacle portion ( 2 ) having a bottom ( 23 ) and at least one bottom-side flow-through opening ( 3 ) on which a valve ( 4 ) for opening and closing the flow-through opening ( 3 ) is arranged, wherein the valve ( 4 ) is configured to be moved by means of a linear actuator ( 5 ), wherein, between the bottom ( 23 ) and a lower side of the filter holder ( 1 ) with an outlet ( 7 ) for extraction liquid, a closed hollow chamber is formed in which the linear actuator ( 5 ) is fixed.

8 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator is designed as an electromagnetic solenoid ( 5 ) that is configured to be supplied with current.

9 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the electromagnetic solenoid ( 5 ) is a bistable electromagnetic linear solenoid with two discrete states and stable end positions.

10 . The filter holder as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the curved body ( 42 ) surrounds a tube for passage of extraction liquid in a U-shape and wherein a respective curved guide ( 43 ) is formed on the curved body ( 42 ) on opposite sides of the tube ( 8 ).

11 . A coffee machine with the filter holder ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the filter holder ( 1 ) is detachably held on the coffee machine ( 10 ) by means of a bracket ( 11 ).

12 . The coffee machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the filter holder ( 1 ) has a closed hollow chamber in which the linear actuator ( 5 ) is fixed.

13 . The coffee machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the filter holder ( 1 ) has electrical contacts which are connected to electrical contacts on the bracket ( 11 ) and via which electrical signals for switching the linear actuator ( 5 ) can be transmitted.

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 Mar 2, 2023
From: KORTE, RENÉ
To: 10X INNOVATION GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 062851/0377 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2020 124 966.7 · Sep 24, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230329473A1 · Oct 19, 2023
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