Pad and Assembly of a Holder and Such a Pad

Abstract

A pad of the optionally flexible, disc-shaped/flat type filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or a product to be dissolved such as a creamer, provided with an optionally flexible bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and an optionally flexible top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges so that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed, with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet and the top sheet each forming a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water, while an area of the covering is designed to be at least virtually impermeable to water, the area comprising, preferably, at least one annular sub-area covering at least a part of the sealing seam, and that the area extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions.

1 . A pad filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or, optionally, a product to be dissolved such as a creamer for preparing a beverage, wherein the pad is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the pad for extracting and/or dissolving the product, the pad being provided with an optionally flexible bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and an optionally flexible top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges so that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet and the top sheet each forming a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water, characterized in that one area of the covering is designed to be at least virtually impermeable to water wherein:—the area comprises at least one annular sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam extending around the sealing seam, which area further extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions;—and/or the area comprises a plurality of sub-areas separate from each other;—and/or the area comprises at least one sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam and a part of the covering outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       2 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the annular sub-area comprises, at the bottom sheet, an annular bottom sheet sub-area which extends inside and outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       3 . A pad according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet sub-area occupies the entire sealing seam. 
   
   
       4 . A pad according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet sub-area occupies a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       5 . A pad according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet sub-area occupies a first annular seam part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       6 . A pad according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the sealing seam comprises a second annular seam part which embraces the first annular seam part and does not form part of the at least virtually water impermeable area of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       7 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the annular sub-area comprises at the bottom sheet an annular bottom sheet sub-area which extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam, while the area further comprises, at the bottom sheet, parts forming bulges at an inside edge of the bottom sheet sub-area outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       8 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the area comprises, at the bottom sheet, a first strip-shaped bottom area sub-area which extends along at least a part of a diameter of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       9 . A pad according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the ends of the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area are located in or are adjacent to a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       10 . A pad according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the area of the bottom sheet comprises a second strip -shaped bottom sheet sub-area which extends along at least a part of a diameter of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       11 . A pad according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the ends of the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area are located in or are adjacent to a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       12 . A pad according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area and the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area include an angle different from zero. 
   
   
       13 . A pad according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said angle is approximately equal to 90 degrees. 
   
   
       14 . A pad according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area and the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area intersect. 
   
   
       15 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom sheet comprises an annular bottom sheet part, of which first ring segments form part of the area of the covering and of which second ring segments do not form part of the area of the covering, the first and second ring segments together forming the annular bottom sheet part, while the annular bottom sheet part extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       16 . A pad according to  claim 15 , characterized in that one segment of the first segments borders, on both sides, on segments of the second segments. 
   
   
       17 . A pad according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet part occupies the entire sealing seam. 
   
   
       18 . A pad according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet part occupies only a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       19 . A pad according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet part occupies a third annular seam part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       20 . A pad according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the sealing seam comprises a fourth annular seam part which embraces the third annular seam part and does not form part of the at least virtually water impermeable area of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       21 . A pad according to  claim 15 , characterized in that the annular bottom sheet extends inside and outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       22 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the area comprises, at the top sheet, an annular top sheet sub-area extending inside and outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       23 . A pad according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the annular top sheet sub-area occupies the entire sealing seam. 
   
   
       24 . A pad according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the annular top sheet sub-area covers a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       25 . A pad according to  claim 24 , characterized in that the annular top sheet sub-area occupies a fifth annular seam part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       26 . A pad according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the sealing seam comprises a sixth annular seam part which embraces the fifth annular seam part and does not form part of the at least virtually water impermeable area of the top sheet. 
   
   
       27 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the annular sub-area comprises, at the top sheet, an annular bottom sheet sub-area extending along the sealing seam while the area further comprises, at the top sheet, parts forming bulges at an inside edge of the top sheet outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       28 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top sheet comprises an annular top sheet part of which first ring segments form part of the area of the top sheet and second ring segments do not form part of the area of the top sheet, the first and second ring segments of the annular top sheet part together forming the annular top sheet part while the annular top sheet part extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       29 . A pad according to  claim 28 , characterized in that one segment of the first segments of the annular top sheet part borders, on both sides, on segments of the second segments of the annular top sheet part. 
   
   
       30 . A pad according to  claim 28 , characterized in that the annular top sheet part covers the entire sealing seam. 
   
   
       31 . A pad according to  claim 28 , characterized in that the annular top sheet part occupies a part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       32 . A pad according to  claim 31 , characterized in that the annular top sheet part covers a seventh annular seam part of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       33 . A pad according to  claim 32 , characterized in that the sealing seam comprises an eighth annular seam part which embraces the seventh annular seam part and does not form part of the area of the top sheet which is at least virtually impermeable to water. 
   
   
       34 . A pad according to  claim 28 , characterized in that the annular top sheet part extends inside and outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       35 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plurality of areas separate from each other extends each partly inside (along) and partly outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       36 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plurality of areas separated from each other each extend inside (along) the sealing seam. 
   
   
       37 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plurality of areas separated from each other each extend outside the sealing seam. 
   
   
       38 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sub-areas extend at the bottom sheet of the covering. 
   
   
       39 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom sheet comprises a non-woven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area. 
   
   
       40 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom sheet comprises a coating which has undergone a heat treatment in the area of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       41 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the area of the bottom sheet comprises a coating which is at least virtually impermeable to water. 
   
   
       42 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the area of the bottom sheet comprises an additional film which is applied to the filtering paper at the inside and/or at the outside of the pad and which is at least virtually impermeable to water. 
   
   
       43 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom sheet is manufactured from a material that is at least virtually impermeable to water, which is perforated for obtaining a filter. 
   
   
       44 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top sheet comprises a non-woven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area. 
   
   
       45 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top sheet comprises a coating which has undergone a heat treatment in the area of the top sheet. 
   
   
       46 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the area of the top sheet comprises a coating which is at least virtually impermeable to water. 
   
   
       47 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the area of the top sheet comprises an additional film which is applied to the filtering paper at the inside and/or at the outside of the pad and which is at least virtually impermeable to water. 
   
   
       48 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top sheet is manufactured from a material that is at least virtually impermeable to water, which is perforated for obtaining a filter. 
   
   
       49 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of indentations located at an outside edge of the sealing seam. 
   
   
       50 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of openings which extend from a top side of the pad to a bottom side of the pad. 
   
   
       51 . A pad according to  claim 49 , characterized in that the indentations are located in the area of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       52 . A pad according to  claim 50 , characterized in that the openings are located in the area of the bottom sheet. 
   
   
       53 . A pad according to  claim 49 , characterized in that the indentations are located in the area of the top sheet. 
   
   
       54 . A pad according to  claim 50 , characterized in that the openings are located in the area of the top sheet. 
   
   
       55 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom sheet is designed to be at least substantially cup-shaped. 
   
   
       56 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top sheet is designed to be at least virtually flat. 
   
   
       57 . A pad according to  claim 55 , characterized in that the pad is designed so as to be at least virtually mirror symmetrical relative to a flat plane through the sealing seam. 
   
   
       58 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the covering outside the sealing seam is designed to be at least substantially flexible. 
   
   
       59 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the covering is designed to be flexible. 
   
   
       60 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the pad is designed to be flexible. 
   
   
       61 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the surface of the predetermined positions where the area extends outside the sealing seam is relatively small with regard to the surface of the covering outside the sealing seam and outside the area. 
   
   
       62 . A pad according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top sheet outside the sealing seam rests, at least substantially, on the product. 
   
   
       63 . An assembly of a pad and a holder in which the pad is included, wherein the pad is filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or, optionally, a product to be dissolved such as a creamer, the pad being provided with a bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and a top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges so that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed, with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet while the bottom sheet and the top sheet each form a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water, the holder being provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding sidewall while in the bottom at least one outflow opening is provided, the pad resting on the bottom, while the assembly is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the assembly for extracting the pad, characterized in that in the bottom, further, at least one pressure limit opening is provided, the bottom sheet of the pad being provided with at least one area which is impermeable to water and which covers the at least one pressure limit opening. 
   
   
       64 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , characterized in that the pad reaches over the bottom adjacent the upstanding sidewall. 
   
   
       65 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , characterized in that the bottom is composed of a horizontal, annular outside bottom part and a dish-shaped inside bottom part which borders on an inside edge of the outside bottom part, the inside bottom part adjacent the outside bottom part extending downwards in a direction away from a side of the holder. 
   
   
       66 . An assembly according to  claim 65 , characterized in that the at least one pressure limit opening extends at least in the outside bottom part. 
   
   
       67 . An assembly according to  claim 66 , characterized in that the at least one pressure limit opening also extends into the inside bottom part. 
   
   
       68 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of indentations located at an outside edge of the sealing seam and that the bottom of the holder is provided with projections reaching into the indentations. 
   
   
       69 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of openings which extend from a top side of the pad to a bottom side of the pad, and that the bottom of the holder is provided with projections reaching into the openings. 
   
   
       70 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , characterized in that the holder is provided with a plurality of pressure limit openings which are each covered by the at least one area. 
   
   
       71 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , characterized in that the holder is provided with a plurality of pressure limit openings and that the area is provided with a plurality of sub-areas which, in combination, cover the pressure limit openings. 
   
   
       72 . An assembly comprising two pads according to  claim 56  and one holder in which both pads are included, the holder being provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding sidewall while in the bottom at least one outflow opening is provided, the first pad of the pads resting with its bottom sheet on the bottom, a second pad of the two pads resting with its top sheet on the top sheet of the first pad. 
   
   
       73 . An assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the assembly is further provided with a lid for closing off the holder, the lid being provided at its inside with a bottom which is provided with at least one water supply opening for feeding hot water to the holder, the bottom of the lid being composed of a horizontally directed annular outside bottom part and a dish-shaped inside bottom part which borders on an inside edge of the outside bottom part, while the inside bottom part adjacent the outside bottom part extends upwards in a direction away from the side of the lid. 
   
   
       74 . An assembly according to  claim 73 , characterized in that the annular outside bottom part of the holder lies opposite the annular outside bottom part of the lid. 
   
   
       75 . An assembly according to  claim 74 , characterized in that the two sealing seams of the two pads are situated between the outside bottom parts of the holder and the lid. 
   
   
       76 . A pad of the assembly according to  claim 63 . 
   
   
       77 . An assembly comprising two pads and a holder, wherein the pads are each provided with a flat top sheet and a bottom sheet which are interconnected adjacent their longitudinal edges, the pads being filled with a product to be extracted and/or a product to be dissolved while the top sheet and the bottom sheet are impermeable to the product and are at least permeable to water, the two pads both being included in the holder while the holder is provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding side wall, in the bottom at least one outflow opening being provided, a first pad of the pads resting with its bottom sheet on the bottom and a second pad of the two pads resting with its top sheet on the top sheet of the first pad.