Pad For Preparing a Beverage

Abstract

A pad for preparing a beverage comprising: an upper part comprising a rigid or semi-rigid upper element containing one or more apertures forming an inlet of the pad; a flexible lower element depending from the upper part and formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pad; the upper part and lower element together defining a storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage, wherein the upper part comprises a flexible water-impermeable layer joined to the rigid or semi-rigid upper element.

1 . A pad for preparing a beverage comprising:
 an upper part comprising a rigid or semi-rigid upper element containing one or more apertures forming an inlet of the pad;   a flexible lower element depending from the upper part and formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pad;   the upper part and lower element together defining a storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage;   wherein the upper part comprises a flexible water-impermeable layer joined to the rigid or semi-rigid upper element.   
     
     
         2 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the rigid or semi-rigid upper element is centrally located with the flexible water-impermeable layer surrounding the upper element. 
     
     
         3 . A pad as claimed  claim 2  wherein the lower element is bonded to the upper part. 
     
     
         4 . A pad as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the lower element depends from the flexible water-impermeable layer. 
     
     
         5 . A pad as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the filtering material is filter paper. 
     
     
         6 . A pad as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the lower element is wholly or substantially wholly formed from filter paper. 
     
     
         7 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the filtering material comprises a spongiform material. 
     
     
         8 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the filtering material comprises a foamed plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the filtering material comprises a perforated thin sheet water-impermeable material. 
     
     
         10 . A pad as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the thin sheet water-impermeable material is a foilized material. 
     
     
         11 . A pad as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the thin sheet water-impermeable material comprises one or more apertures forming the outlet of the pad. 
     
     
         12 . A pad as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the apertures in the thin sheet water-impermeable material are covered by filter paper. 
     
     
         13 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet apertures are located at or near a centre of the upper part. 
     
     
         14 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet apertures are located at or near a periphery of the pad. 
     
     
         15 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet apertures are located in at least two discrete regions of the upper part. 
     
     
         16 . A pad as claimed in  claim 15  wherein a portion of the inlet apertures are located at or near a centre of the upper part and a portion of the inlet apertures are located at or near a periphery of the upper part. 
     
     
         17 . A pad as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the inlet apertures are arranged in a circle. 
     
     
         18 . A pad as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the inlet apertures are distributed across the upper element. 
     
     
         19 . A pad as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the inlet apertures are circular in shape or in the form of square apertures or slits or other geometric shapes. 
     
     
         20 . A pad as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the inlet of the pad is recessed below a remainder of the upper part. 
     
     
         21 . A pad as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the upper element comprises one or more cylindrical or frusto-conical recesses and the inlet apertures are formed at or near a base of said recesses. 
     
     
         22 . A pad as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the inlet comprises 1 to 20 apertures. 
     
     
         23 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed radially outwards. 
     
     
         24 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed radially inwards. 
     
     
         25 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed tangentially relative to the recess. 
     
     
         26 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed parallel to the upper element. 
     
     
         27 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed upwards towards the upper element. 
     
     
         28 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed downwards away from the upper element. 
     
     
         29 . A pad as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the apertures have an equivalent diameter of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         30 . A pad as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the apertures have an equivalent diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         31 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage volume further contains a dispersion plate for creating a non-vertical flow of water, in use, within the storage volume. 
     
     
         32 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate is freely suspended within the storage volume. 
     
     
         33 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate is attached to the filtering material. 
     
     
         34 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate is formed in the plane of the filtering material. 
     
     
         35 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate forms part of the lower surface. 
     
     
         36 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate is planar. 
     
     
         37 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate is rippled, ridged or otherwise convoluted. 
     
     
         38 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate is non-apertured. 
     
     
         39 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
         40 . A pad as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the dispersion plate forms part of an outlet filtering means. 
     
     
         41 . A pad as claimed in  claim 40  wherein the dispersion plate comprises a portion of the outlet filtering means which has modified material characteristics and is non-transmissive to water. 
     
     
         42 . A pad as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the outlet filtering means comprises a filter paper and the dispersion plate comprises a portion of the filter paper which is hot stamped to render it impermeable to water. 
     
     
         43 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a dispersion plate attached to an outer surface of the pad. 
     
     
         44 . A pad as claimed in  claim 43  comprising more than one dispersion plate. 
     
     
         45 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage volume further contains one or more absorbent elements or particles. 
     
     
         46 . A pad as claimed in  claim 45  wherein the absorbent elements or particles are spongiform. 
     
     
         47 . A pad as claimed in  claim 45  wherein the absorbent elements or particles are a hydrogel. 
     
     
         48 . A pad as claimed in  claim 45  wherein, before exposure to liquid, the one or more absorbent elements or particles are compressed. 
     
     
         49 . A pad as claimed in  claim 46  wherein, in use, the one or more spongiform elements or absorbent particles act as an absorbent means for retaining excess moisture. 
     
     
         50 . A pad as claimed in  claim 45  containing a single spongiform or hydrogel element. 
     
     
         51 . A pad as claimed in  claim 45  wherein the one or more absorbent particles interact with water in use such as to absorb water only during a portion of a dispense cycle. 
     
     
         52 . A pad as claimed in  claim 51  wherein the one or more absorbent particles interact with water at a predetermined temperature, pH or a start of a specified chemical reaction. 
     
     
         53 . A pad as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the one or more absorbent particles comprise a soluble coating which, in use, is dissolvable in water to allow absorption of water to take place. 
     
     
         54 . A pad as claimed in  claim 53  wherein the soluble coating comprises sugar or gelatine. 
     
     
         55 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  containing one or more foamed plastic elements or particles. 
     
     
         56 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the water-soluble composition is agglomerated. 
     
     
         57 . A pad as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the agglomerated water-soluble composition is produced by contacting the water-soluble composition with steam, water, or aqueous solution or dispersion to effect agglomeration, and optionally, either simultaneously or subsequently drying the agglomerated composition. 
     
     
         58 . A pad as claimed in  claim 57  wherein the water-soluble composition is a milk powder, creamer or chocolate powder. 
     
     
         59 . A pad as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the milk powder or creamer powder is a dairy or non-dairy spray-dried coffee creamer or coffee whitener. 
     
     
         60 . A pad as claimed in  claim 58  wherein a fat component of the milk powder or creamer powder has a melting point of 10 to 40 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         61 . A pad as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the creamer powder comprises one or more of vegetable fat, milk proteins, emulsifiers, stabilisers, foaming agents, milk fat, soy proteins, modified starches, carriers, fillers, sweeteners, flavours, colours, nutrients, preservatives and flow agents. 
     
     
         62 . A pad as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising one or more channels or grooves in an upper surface of the upper element, said channels or grooves extending towards the inlet. 
     
     
         63 . A pad as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the channels have a depth of 0.1 to 5 mm. 
     
     
         64 . A pad as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the channels or grooves have a depth of about 1 to 2 mm. 
     
     
         65 . A pad as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the upper surface comprises vertical struts, pyramid structures or similar. 
     
     
         66 . A beverage brewing kit comprising a first pad as claimed in  claim 1  in combination with a second pad containing one or more beverage ingredients suitable for brewing. 
     
     
         67 . A beverage brewing kit as claimed in  claim 66  wherein the second pad contains roast and ground coffee. 
     
     
         68 . A beverage brewing kit as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the first and second pads are joined prior to use. 
     
     
         69 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pad as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water downwardly through the pad such that beverage initially exits the pad through a lowermost surface thereof. 
     
     
         70 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pad as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water upwardly through the pad such that beverage initially exits the pad through an uppermost surface thereof. 
     
     
         71 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pad as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of orientating the pad in a non-horizontal orientation and passing water in a vertical or non-vertical direction through the pad. 
     
     
         72 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pad as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing a flow of water through the pad substantially parallel to a major axis of the pad or substantially cross-ways to a major axis of the pad or in a direction part-way between parallel flow and cross flow. 
     
     
         73 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a flexible pad as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water through the flexible pad at a temperature greater than 70 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         74 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a flexible pad as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water through the flexible pad as a discontinuous flow. 
     
     
         75 . A method of dispensing a beverage as claimed in  claim 74  wherein the discontinuous flow of water is a pulsed flow.