Pod for preparing a beverage

Abstract

A pod for preparing a beverage comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid sidewall; a rigid or semi-rigid upper surface containing one more apertures forming an inlet of the pod; a lower surface formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pod; the sidewall, upper surface and lower surface together defining a storage volume extending from the inlet to the outlet and containing a water-soluble composition, or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; wherein the rigid or semi-rigid sidewall maintains a physical separation of the filtering material and the upper surface during use.

1 . A pod for preparing a beverage comprising:
 a rigid or semi-rigid sidewall;   a rigid or semi-rigid upper surface containing one or more apertures forming an inlet of the pod;   a lower surface formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pod;   the sidewall, upper surface and lower surface together defining a storage volume extending from the inlet to the outlet and containing a water-soluble composition, or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage;   wherein the rigid or semi-rigid sidewall maintains a physical separation of the filtering material and the upper surface during use.   
   
   
       2 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet of the pod is located at or near a centre of the upper surface. 
   
   
       3 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet of the pod is located at or near a periphery of the upper surface. 
   
   
       4 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apertures of the inlet are located in at least two discrete regions of the upper surface. 
   
   
       5 . A pod as claimed in  claim 4  a portion of the apertures of the inlet are located at or near a centre of the upper surface and a portion of the apertures of the inlet are located at or near a periphery of the upper surface. 
   
   
       6 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the apertures of the inlet are arranged in a circle. 
   
   
       7 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the apertures of the inlet are arranged randomly across at least a portion of the upper surface. 
   
   
       8 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the apertures of the inlet are arranged uniformly across at least a portion of the upper surface. 
   
   
       9 . A pod as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the inlet of the pod is recessed below a remainder of the upper surface. 
   
   
       10 . A pod as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the upper surface comprises one or more cylindrical or frusto-conical recesses and the inlet is formed at or near a base of said recesses. 
   
   
       11 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises 1 to 100 apertures. 
   
   
       12 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises 1 to 63 apertures. 
   
   
       13 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises 5 to 30 apertures. 
   
   
       14 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises 10 to 20 apertures. 
   
   
       15 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed radially outwards towards the sidewall of the pod. 
   
   
       16 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures direct flow of water there through to impact a sidewall of the pod. 
   
   
       17 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures direct flow of water there through to impact one or more baffles within the pod. 
   
   
       18 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed radially inwards towards a centre of the pod. 
   
   
       19 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed tangentially relative to the recess. 
   
   
       20 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed parallel to the upper surface of the pod. 
   
   
       21 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed upwards towards the upper surface of the pod. 
   
   
       22 . A pod as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least some of the apertures are directed downwards away from the upper surface of the pod. 
   
   
       23 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the apertures have an equivalent diameter of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm. 
   
   
       24 . A pod as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the apertures have an equivalent diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. 
   
   
       25 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sidewall is formed integrally with the upper surface. 
   
   
       26 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the upper surface comprises a downwardly dependent skirt and the sidewall is conjoined with the upper surface by engagement of the sidewall with the downwardly dependent skirt. 
   
   
       27 . A pod as claimed in  claim 26  where the engagement is by means of friction. 
   
   
       28 . A pod as claimed in  claim 26  wherein a periphery of the filtering material is sandwiched between the sidewall and the downwardly dependent skirt. 
   
   
       29 . A pod as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the filtering material is bonded to a lower edge of the sidewall. 
   
   
       30 . A pod as claimed in  claim 26  where the whole of the lower surface is formed from filtering material. 
   
   
       31 . A pod as claimed in  claim 26  wherein a portion of the lower surface is non-transmissive to water and another portion is formed from the filtering material. 
   
   
       32 . A pod as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the portion of filtering material is located at or near a centre of the lower surface. 
   
   
       33 . A pod as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the portion of filtering material is an annulus located at a defined radius from the centre of the pod. 
   
   
       34 . A pod as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the portion of filtering material is at a periphery of the lower surface. 
   
   
       35 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the height of the pod from the upper surface to the lower surface is between 2 mm and 50 mm. 
   
   
       36 . A pod as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the height of the pod is 5 mm to 7 mm. 
   
   
       37 . A pod as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the height of the pod is 7 mm to 11 mm. 
   
   
       38 . A pod as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the height of the pod is 14 mm to 16 mm. 
   
   
       39 . A pod as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the height of the pod is 20 mm to 30 mm. 
   
   
       40 . A pod as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the upper surface and/or sidewall comprises at least one air vent or one way valve. 
   
   
       41 . A pod as claimed in  claim 40  wherein the upper surface and/or sidewall comprise at least one weakened or frangible area which, during use, is rupturable to form an air vent. 
   
   
       42 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage volume further contains a dispersion plate associated with the outlet for creating a non-vertical flow of water, in use, within the storage volume. 
   
   
       43 . A pod as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate is freely suspended within the storage volume. 
   
   
       44 . A pod as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate is attached to the filtering material of the outlet. 
   
   
       45 . A pod as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate forms part of the lower surface. 
   
   
       46 . A pod as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate is attached to the sidewall. 
   
   
       47 . A pod as claimed  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate is planar. 
   
   
       48 . A pod as claimed  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate is rippled, ridged or otherwise convoluted. 
   
   
       49 . A pod as claimed  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate is non-apertured. 
   
   
       50 . A pod as claimed  claim 42  wherein the dispersion plate comprises one or more apertures. 
   
   
       51 . A pod as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the dispersion plate is sealed or bonded to the lower surface and the one or more apertures are formed at the boundary between the dispersion plate and the outlet filtering means. 
   
   
       52 . A pod as claimed  51   claim 51  wherein the dispersion plate forms part of an outlet filtering means. 
   
   
       53 . A pod as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the dispersion plate comprises a portion of the outlet filtering means which has modified material characteristics and is non-transmissive to water. 
   
   
       54 . A pod as claimed in  claim 53  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. 
   
   
       55 . A pod as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the dispersion plate is attached to an outer face of the lower surface. 
   
   
       56 . A pod as claimed  claim 42  comprising more than one dispersion plate. 
   
   
       57 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  which is circular with a diameter of between 30 and 110 mm. 
   
   
       58 . A pod as claimed in  claim 57  wherein the storage volume further contains one or more absorbent elements or particles or foamed plastic elements or particles. 
   
   
       59 . A pod as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the absorbent elements or particles are spongiform. 
   
   
       60 . A pod as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the absorbent elements or particles are a hydrogel. 
   
   
       61 . A pod as claimed in  claim 58  wherein, before exposure to liquid, the one or more absorbent elements or particles or foamed plastic elements or particles are compressed. 
   
   
       62 . A pod as claimed in  claim 59  wherein, in use, the one or more spongiform elements act as an absorbent means for retaining excess moisture. 
   
   
       63 . A pod as claimed in  claim 58  containing a single spongiform or hydrogel element. 
   
   
       64 . A pod as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the one or more absorbent elements or particles interact with water in use such as to absorb water only during a portion of a dispense cycle. 
   
   
       65 . A pod as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the one or more absorbent elements or particles interact with water at a predetermined temperature, pH or a start of a specified chemical reaction. 
   
   
       66 . A pod as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the one or more absorbent elements or particles comprise a soluble coating which, in use, is dissolvable in water to allow absorption of water to take place. 
   
   
       67 . A pod as claimed in  claim 66  wherein the soluble coating comprises sugar or gelatine. 
   
   
       68 . A pod as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the one or more absorbent elements or particles comprise one or more of compressed sponge, natural sponges, dried seaweed, poly (HEMA) 2 hyroxyethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic, polyacyrylamide, Gelatine, Alginates, Agar and Carrageenan, and other hydrocolloids. 
   
   
       69 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the water-soluble composition is agglomerated. 
   
   
       70 . A pod as claimed in  claim 69  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. 
   
   
       71 . A pod as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the water-soluble composition is a milk powder or creamer powder or chocolate powder. 
   
   
       72 . A pod as claimed in  claim 71  wherein the milk powder or creamer powder is a dairy or non-dairy spray-dried coffee creamer or coffee whitener. 
   
   
       73 . A pod as claimed in  claim 72  wherein a fat component of the milk powder or creamer powder has a melting point of 10 to 40 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       74 . A pod as claimed in  claim 73  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. 
   
   
       75 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising one or more channels or grooves in the upper surface, said channels or grooves extending towards the inlet. 
   
   
       76 . A pod as claimed in  claim 75  wherein the channels have a depth of 0.1 to 5 mm. 
   
   
       77 . A pod as claimed in  claim 76  wherein the channels or grooves have a depth of about 1 to 2 mm. 
   
   
       78 . A pod as claimed in  claim 75  wherein the channels and grooves extend radially towards a central inlet. 
   
   
       79 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the upper surface comprises vertical struts, pyramid structures or similar. 
   
   
       80 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising means at or near the outlet for foaming the beverage. 
   
   
       81 . A pod as claimed in  claim 80  wherein the means for foaming the beverage is an aperture for forming a jet of beverage and subsequently impacting said jet of beverage against an impingement surface so as to produce foaming of the beverage. 
   
   
       82 . A pod as claimed in  claim 80  wherein the means for foaming the beverage is an eductor or venturi ejector for forming a jet of beverage and including gas into the beverage jet. 
   
   
       83 . A pod as claimed in  claim 81  wherein the means for foaming the beverage comprises a sintered outlet nozzle, or zeolite bed or membrane. 
   
   
       84 . A pod as claimed in  claim 81  wherein the means comprises an aperture through which the beverage is directed. 
   
   
       85 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a gasket seal on or adjacent the upper surface for sealing, in use, against a pod holder of a beverage preparation machine in which the pod is used. 
   
   
       86 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a peripheral seal on an outer surface of the sidewall for sealing, in use, against a pod holder of a beverage preparation machine in which the pod is used. 
   
   
       87 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a seal on or adjacent a lower edge of the sidewall for sealing, in use, against a pod holder of a beverage preparation machine in which the pod is used. 
   
   
       88 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage volume is a unitary volume. 
   
   
       89 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage volume comprises a plurality of compartments. 
   
   
       90 . A pod as claimed in  claim 89  wherein the plurality of compartments comprises different beverage ingredients. 
   
   
       91 . A pod as claimed in  claim 89  wherein one or more of the compartments contain one or more absorbent elements or particles or foamed plastic elements or particles. 
   
   
       92 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the one or more apertures forming the inlet to the pod are formed in the sidewall rather than the upper surface. 
   
   
       93 . A pod as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the apertures are circular, square or slits or other geometric shapes. 
   
   
       94 . A pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the storage volume comprises one or more baffles. 
   
   
       95 . A beverage brewing kit comprising a first pod as claimed in  claim 1  in combination with a flexible filter pad containing one or more beverage ingredients suitable for brewing. 
   
   
       96 . A beverage brewing kit as claimed in  claim 95  wherein the flexible filter pad contains roast and ground coffee. 
   
   
       97 . A beverage brewing kit as claimed in  claim 95  wherein the pod and pad are joined prior to use. 
   
   
       98 . A water-soluble composition of a milk powder or creamer powder containing a plurality of dispersed absorbent particles. 
   
   
       99 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pod as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water downwardly through the pod such that beverage initially exits the pod through a lowermost surface thereof. 
   
   
       100 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pod as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water upwardly through the pod such that beverage initially exits the pod through an uppermost surface thereof. 
   
   
       101 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pod as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of orientating the pod in a non-horizontal orientation and passing water in a vertical or non-vertical direction through the pod. 
   
   
       102 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pod as claimed in  claim 1  wherein flow of water through the pod may be substantially parallel to a major axis of the pod or substantially cross-ways to a major axis of the pod or in a direction part-way between parallel flow and cross flow. 
   
   
       103 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pod as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water through the pod at a temperature greater than 70 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       104 . A method of dispensing a beverage using a pod as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the step of passing water through the pod as a discontinuous flow. 
   
   
       105 . A method of dispensing a beverage as claimed in  claim 104  wherein the discontinuous flow of water is a pulsed flow.