Coffee Filter Hinged Container

Here are a series of models for keeping your favorite coffee filters at hand in a countertop container. Filter sizes up to as large as the popular MOCCAMASTER #4 filters will fit within all three designs. Each container has multiple divided sections for organizing different filters, or you can simply fill up the whole container with just one type of filter, whatever suits your needs.  Sections are either 26mm (est. 30-40 filters) or 40mm (est. 40-50 filters) wide - filter capacity can vary significantly, depending on brand and thickness rating.

Each profile includes build plates for the two pieces that make up the container and the filter holder inner piece. Optional is a fourth plate that has an insert that can be used to keep the MOCCAMASTER #4 filters in place when closing and opening the container - note that the MOCCAMASTER #4 filters only fit with the “stitched” edge aligned upward and toward the back of the holder.

Regarding filaments and colors

The colors I used for the standard curved and cube containers are Bambu Lab PLA Wood in Birch and Black Walnut, respectively. The narrow curved container is printed using Bambu Lab PLA Matte in Charcoal - I actually like this color best of the three, almost seems like a really dark chocolate.  Of course, you can probably choose just about any of the PLA filaments to print these in, and hopefully you will share pictures of your containers so that we can get to see other material and color choices.

Regarding the Fuzzy Skin fronts

All three profiles have the front of the filter holder painted for printing with Fuzzy Skin. If you want to remove the fuzzy skin surface from the print in Bambu Studio, select the filter holder on Plate 3 and use the Fuzzy Skin Painting (H) tool to “Erase all painting” from the model.

Assembly Instructions

Please refer to the following diagram. When assembling, make sure that the hinge pins align with the holes of the filter holder insert - in the diagram below, the visible hinge is highlighted in black (normally the hinge is the same material and color as the container). The curved container has three tabs that align with slots along the curved section … these should insert easily and remain in place due to a somewhat snug fit. The cube container requires no tabs/slots given it uses screws in all four corners.

Start by aligning the filter holder with the left portion of the container, and including fitting the left hinge into the matching hole of the filter holder. Then with that assembly laying down as shown, place the right cover over the assembly making sure to align first the hinge to the matching hole of the filter holder, then follow with aligning tabs with slots, and finally the screw channels should align as well. 

The curved containers use three (3) M3x8 cap head screws. The cube container uses four (4) M3x8 cap head screws. Note that for these containers that I assembled, the screws are a dark 12.9 grade alloy steel variant - the screws offered by Maker's Supply are a bright carbon steel. M3x10 screws also fit but are a bit harder to screw in. Note: If you would prefer not to use screws, there is a no screws option described below.

The No Screws Option

In all three profiles, printable screw hole plugs are included on a fifth build plate. During assembly, hopefully the right cover will fit relatively snugly once all the holes and tabs are aligned, and the cover is pressed into place. Note that it is possible that the fit might be looser than intended given a number of factors, possibly including choice of material and color - if this is the case, screws might be a better option. That said, another option would be to use a small amount of CA (super-glue) applied where the screw channels mate to hold the cover in place. Whether you choose to use some CA or decide to just rely on the snugness of the fit without glue, the printable plugs can be used to fill in the screw holes so that they don't remain visible - please test fit the plugs with all of the holes on the right cover prior to gluing the cover onto the left side of the container - again, tolerances can be tricky sometimes and many factors come into play. I've tried to get a decent balance between having enough clearance and still being a relatively snug fit - if they seem too large, you can consider reprinting them after scaling them down to 95%.

Optional MOCCAMASTER #4 insert

This optional insert helps to keep the MOCCAMASTER #4 filters from flopping back when closing the container. Without the insert, the filters have a tendency to flop back and when opening the container, the top corners of the filters will likely rub along the top of the container as if they don't want to come out ;-). Its highly recommended that if you use these specific filters, print out this insert and install it before you do the final assembly.