Pod and dispensing method

Abstract

A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation, the pod comprising:
 a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side;   the body further defining a central sealing region disposed toward the center of the dispensing side;   a closing member for closing the dispensing side; and   an actuation member contained within said cavity;   
       wherein the pod has a first configuration and a second configuration:
 in the first configuration the cavity is sealed and the closing member is sealed to the central sealing region and sealed to a peripheral sealing region; 
 in the second configuration an opening is provided between said cavity and a region outside of the pod around a perimeter of the at least one side wall at the dispensing side, and the closing member is sealed to the central sealing region, the central sealing region being radially inwards of the opening; and 
 wherein the pod transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration when the actuation member is actuated and engages with the closing member to cause the opening to be formed. 
 
     
     
         28 . A pod according to  claim 27 , wherein the central sealing region comprises a generally circular sealing surface. 
     
     
         29 . A pod according to  claim 28 , wherein the circular sealing surface is in the same plane as the dispensing side. 
     
     
         30 . A pod according to  claim 27 , wherein the body has an increased thickness at the central sealing region. 
     
     
         31 . A pod according to  claim 27 , wherein the body defines a rim extending around a perimeter of the at least one side wall, and wherein the rim defines the peripheral sealing region. 
     
     
         32 . A pod according to  claim 31 , wherein the rim extends radially outwards from the at least one side wall. 
     
     
         33 . A pod according to  claim 32 , wherein the rim comprises a mounting flange. 
     
     
         34 . A pod according to  claim 33 , wherein the mounting flange extends radially outwards around a perimeter of the rim. 
     
     
         35 . A pod according to  claim 33 , wherein the mounting flange is axially offset from the dispensing side. 
     
     
         36 . A pod according to  claim 34 , wherein the mounting flange defines a downwardly facing mounting surface for supporting the pod in a dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         37 . A pod according to  claim 31 , wherein a radially inner edge of the rim comprises a beveled region; and
 wherein the beveled region is sized to cooperate with the actuation member.   
     
     
         38 . A pod according to  claim 27 , wherein the body is formed from a single molded component. 
     
     
         39 . A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation, the pod comprising:
 a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side;   an actuation member contained within said cavity; and   a rim extending around a perimeter of the at least one side wall at the dispensing side, wherein the rim extends radially outwards from the at least one side wall;   wherein:   the actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated; and   said opening is formed around a perimeter of the at least one side wall at the dispensing side of the body.   
     
     
         40 . A pod according to  claim 39 , wherein the rim comprises a mounting flange. 
     
     
         41 . A pod according to  claim 40 , wherein the mounting flange extends radially outwards around a perimeter of the rim. 
     
     
         42 . A pod according to  claim 40 , wherein the mounting flange is axially offset from the dispensing side. 
     
     
         43 . A pod according to  claim 41 , wherein the mounting flange defines a downwardly facing mounting surface for supporting the pod in a dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         44 . A pod according to  claim 39 , wherein a radially inner edge of the rim comprises a beveled region; and
 wherein the beveled region is sized to cooperate with the actuation member.   
     
     
         45 . A pod according to  claim 39 , wherein the body is formed from a single molded component. 
     
     
         46 . A pod according to  claim 39 , further comprising a closing member for closing the dispensing side, wherein when the pod is in a sealed configuration the closing member is sealed to a peripheral sealing region, the rim defining the peripheral sealing region.