NL2013235B1

NL2013235B1 - Pad for use in a machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving, system including a machine and method for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving with such a system.

Info

Publication number: NL2013235B1
Application number: NL2013235A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Johannes Maria Moorman Christiaan
Original assignee: Douwe Egberts Bv
Priority date: 2014-07-22
Filing date: 2014-07-22
Publication date: 2016-08-16
Also published as: WO2016013932A1

Abstract

Pad including a covering filled with an beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a substantially rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening and comprises a bottom having a substantially flat bottom part. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on the bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The bottom further comprises a central bottom portion comprising the at least one outlet opening, wherein the substantially flat bottom part is formed by an annular bottom portion positioned radially outward of the central bottom portion and wherein the central bottom portion is a bi-stable central bottom portion.

Description

Title: Pad for use in a machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving, system including a machine and method for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving with such a system.

The invention relates to a pad for use in a machine, preferably a coffee machine, for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving. In use, with the machine, an aqueous fluid such as water is supplied under pressure to the pad for forcing the fluid through the pad for obtaining a beverage that then exits the pad. The pad includes a covering defining an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage, wherein the beverage preparation product can include a product extractable with an aqueous fluid, such as ground coffee, or a soluble product, such as milk creamer, and wherein the covering comprises a first sheet.

Such a pad, which is usually formed as a pillow-shaped pouch that is not form retaining by itself when subjected to mechanic or hydraulic forces is e.g. known from EP 0 904 717 Al.

The known pad can come with two sheets of filtering paper that are disc-shaped and are connected to each other adjacent their perimeter edges thereby forming a seal seam. The thus formed covering of the pad contains ground coffee. In use, the pad is placed in a holder which is then closed with a fid and then hot water is supplied to a top of the pad so that the hot water is pressed through the pad in formation of the beverage which beverage then leaves the holder through an outflow opening in the holder. It is important that when placing the flexible pad in the holder, the pad is manually well adapted to the form of the holder and correctly positioned in the holder. Filtering paper when wetted usually provides a good fluid seal against a flat surface, such as a metal surface of a pad holder. It can however happen that the pad is slightly crumpled or folded when this is placed in the holder and then it should be "flattened". It is also important that the coffee bed remains homogeneously distributed in the pad during placement of the pad. Only such due care can prevent the bypass effect from occurring. Bypass means that hot water that is supplied to the upper side of the pad, flows around the pad to then leave the holder via the outflow opening thereof without passing through the pad. The consequence is that the beverage is diluted with hot water. It further can happen that after use the wetted filtering of the pad sticks to the holder and that it needs some work of the user to remove the used, wetted pad from the holder.

An object of the present invention is to further simplify the use of pads for the user. In particular it is an object of the present invention to provide a pad which can be positioned correctly in the pad holder more easily, and it is a further object of the invention to provide a pad which after use can be removed from the holder more easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pad with which it is possible to increase the range of beverages that can be prepared with the typical Senseo® coffee machine using the pad according to the invention so one wishes. There has been a desire to be able to prepare different coffee varieties with the standard Senseo® machine, but the prospect of having a myriad variety of pad holders has slowed down the development of such options. Such desirable varieties include cappuccinos, latte macchiato, and Wiener melange, which are best prepared in a two-step process.

In a more general sense it is thus an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. Alternatively it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

Accordingly the invention proposes a pad for use in a machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving, a system including a machine and such a pad (i.e. a new pad according to the invention), a system including a machine equipped with a holder for accommodating a standard known (prior art) pad and comprising such a pad (i.e. a new pad according to the invention), and a method for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving with such a system as defined in the appended claims According to the invention there is thus provided a pad for use in a machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving, which pad, for use in the machine, is adapted to receive an aqueous fluid that is supplied under pressure to the pad for forcing the fluid through the pad for obtaining the at least one part of the beverage serving that then exits the pad, wherein the pad includes a covering defining an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage, wherein the beverage preparation product e.g. can include a product including ground coffee extractable with an aqueous fluid, wherein the covering comprises a flexible first sheet having a perimeter edge and a substantially rigid shell having a perimeter edge, said shell comprising a bottom having a substantially flat bottom part, wherein the first sheet and the shell are connected to each other around their perimeter edges, wherein the shell is equipped with at least one outlet opening, wherein the pad is further equipped with a second sheet that is positioned on the bottom of the shell, wherein the second sheet is located between the beverage preparation product and the shell and wherein the first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter for allowing an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and for forming a barrier for the beverage preparation product so that, when in use an aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the first sheet of the pad the fluid flows through the first sheet to the beverage preparation product so that the beverage is formed, which beverage then flows through the second sheet and via the at least one outlet opening leaves the pad, wherein the bottom further comprises a central bottom portion comprising the outlet opening, wherein the substantially flat bottom part is formed by an annular bottom portion positioned radially outward of the central bottom portion, wherein the central bottom portion is a bi-stable central bottom portion. Preferably, the central bi-stable bottom portion is configured such that before aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the first sheet of the pad, the central bi-stable bottom portion is arranged in an initial stable position and such that after aqueous fluid under pressure has been supplied to the first sheet of the pad, the central bistable bottom portion is arranged in a final stable position, wherein in the initial stable position at least part of the central bi-stable bottom portion in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge of the shell than in the final stable position. In this manner, the possibility is provided to - after use - remove the pad from the holder more easily. It is thus possible that the central bi-stable bottom portion in its initial stable position is concave and in its final stable position is convex and that the displacement from the concave to the convex shape facilitates in the removal of a used pad from the holder. In this regard it is observed that with bistable is meant that the central bottom portion can take in two stable positions and that with the axial direction of the pad is meant a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the perimeter edge of the pad. A compact pad can then be obtained when in the initial stable position at least part of the central bi-stable bottom portion in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge than the annular bottom portion. In this manner also correct positioning of the pad in the holder for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving is not influenced by the central bottom portion.

In an advantageous embodiment of a pad according to the invention the central bottom portion comprises a central disc shaped portion and an annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion. Preferably, the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion is configured such that during supply of aqueous fluid under pressure to the first sheet of the pad, the annular bi-stable hinge is displaced from the initial stable position to a final stable position, wherein in the initial stable position of the bi-stable hinge at least part of the central bi-stable bottom portion in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge of the shell than in the final stable position of the bi-stable hinge. In this manner the central disc shaped portion can be used to exert a pressure on the holder and thus for at least reducing the forces which cause a used pad to stick to the holder, and thus the central disc shaped portion can be used to more easily remove a pad from the holder after use.

Because the pad is equipped with a substantially rigid shell, the pad, at least primarily, retains its shape which makes it possible that the pad is placed in the holder without there have to be given attention by a user whether it has the desired shape. Wherever in this specification the expression “shell” is used, it is to refer to a relatively rigid base member, which can have a hollow shape, but also includes an at least relatively flat bottom part. The form of the pad is essentially fixed by the rigid shell.

Although a plurality of outlet openings may be present, it is preferred that the pad comprises one outlet opening. It is more preferred that this one outlet opening is positioned centrically in the central bottom portion, preferably in the central disc shaped portion.

By using a second sheet that is positioned on the bottom of the shell, it is also ensured that a beverage is obtained which properties can be specified within very narrow limits. After all, it is factory determined how the second sheet is positioned relative to the shell. This is in contrast to the known pad in which a sheet of filtering paper of the pad is positioned on the bottom of a holder with this positioning in fact being determined by the consumer, at least in part thereof.

In a pad according to the invention, the first sheet and/or the second sheet may include filtering paper or other non-woven material, such as one that is biodegradable, comprising e.g. a PLA non-woven material. The first sheet and/or second sheet can be made of flexible material and are preferably flat.

The pad according to the invention thus is applicable according to various embodiments in various types of coffee machines. Because the substantially rigid shell could also alter the pad according to the invention into a self-supporting pad, it is also conceivable that a modified pad holder can be employed. For instance such a pad holder, when the pad is self-supporting, could be reduced to a support ring, without bottom.

Preferably, the shell has a bowl-shaped interior space and the pad is asymmetrical with respect to a flat plane through the connected perimeter edges of the first sheet and the shell. Preferably it also applies that one side of the shell forms an outer side of the pad. Because the shell forms an outer side of the pad, the form of the outside of the pad, is substantially defined on one side. This allows this form to be optimally tuned to a holder of a machine in which the pad is intended to be used. In particular it applies that the shell at its underside forms a fluid seal with such holder so that the flow of the fluid from a top side of the pad, around the pad, to the outlet opening of the holder is prevented.

Preferably, it applies that the shell is equipped with a circumventing and in itself closed first bottom part with an outer edge and an inner edge and a dish-shaped second bottom part that connects to the inner edge of the first bottom part, wherein the dish-shaped second bottom part adjacent the first bottom part in a direction oriented away from the outer edge down to the interior space of the pad slopes downwardly to the bottom comprising the central bottom portion comprising the at least one outlet opening. In particular it applies that the first bottom part is flat.

Furthermore, preferably the dish-shaped second bottom part adjacent the first bottom part in a direction oriented away from the outer edge down to the interior space of the pad slopes downwardly and there connects to the annular bottom portion. Preferably, when the central bottom portion comprises a bi-stable hinge the central disc shaped portion, the annular bottom portion and the first bottom part extend parallel to each other, preferably both in the initial stable position as in the final stable position.

In this way, a bowl-shaped interior space is created in which beverages can be prepared in an optimal way. Experiments have shown that by such a bowl-shaped interior space the quality of the beverage can be determined well in advance, this is partly because the so-called channeling is avoided. Channeling means that the bed of beverage preparation product that is in the pad, includes local unwanted smaller thicknesses having a relatively small flow resistance. Since the fluid seeks the way of least resistance, it is likely that a portion of the fluid flows through the bed just at those places. There is then a further risk that the bed becomes even thinner so that the fluid then flows through the pad practical in its original state. The beverage will then be experienced as not very tasteful.

Preferably, the second sheet extends over the central disc shaped portion and the annular bottom portion. In particular, it applies that the second sheet extends solely over the central disc shaped portion and the annular bottom portion, so that the second sheet, the annular bottom portion and the central disc shaped portion are parallel to each other.

In an embodiment of a pad according to the invention on the interior space of the pad on or in the bottom of the shell a fluid collecting structure is provided that is in fluid communication with the at least one outlet opening. Preferably the fluid collecting structure in the bottom of the shell is provided with channels, which channels are in fluid communication with the at least one outlet opening, and wherein the second sheet, which is positioned on the bottom of the shell, covers the channels, so that a formed beverage then flows through the second sheet where the channels are located and reaches the at least one outlet opening via the channels, said channels being provided in the annular bottom portion and the central disc shaped portion. It is then preferred that the channels only extend within the contours of the second sheet. Alternatively the fluid collecting structure may comprise a porous disc.

It thus will be ensured that the quality of the beverage that is prepared by the pad itself is determined in advance in high degree. After all, because the second sheet is solely over the flat bottom part it will be achieved that the second sheet rests fully against the bottom. Because in addition the channels themselves are provided only in that part of the bottom it is achieved that the beverage, at least substantially, can flow only through the second sheet where the channels are located. It is then preferred that the second sheet adjacent its substantially circular in itself closed perimeter edge is connected to the shell.

In an embodiment of a pad according to the invention the pad contains 5-10, preferably 6-9 gram of roast and ground coffee.

Preferably it also applies that the first sheet is connected with the first bottom part. In particular it applies that the first bottom part is formed ring-shaped. In this way the first sheet can be attached well to the shell. It is particularly advantageous when the substantially rigid shell, the first sheet and the second sheet have a circular shape.

Preferably, it also applies that the substantially flat bottom part of the shell at its outer face is equipped with at least one substantially circular in itself closed rib. Such a rib can further strengthen the pad. In particular the annular bi-stable hinge is positioned radially within the at least one substantially circular rib, so that the annular bi-stable hinge has a negligible effect on the rigidity of the shell. In an embodiment of a pad according to the invention the at least one substantially circular rib then has an end face which is positioned in an axial direction of the pad at a larger distance than the central disc shaped portion in its final stable position. In this manner the circular rib can be used for positioning the pad correctly with regard to a holder, which e.g. can be provided with a groove for receiving the circular rib.

In a still further embodiment of a pad according to the invention, which can be manufactured relatively easily, the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion comprises a central annular hinge ring having a first thickness, a first outer annular hinge ring portion connected to the annular bottom portion and a second inner annular hinge ring portion connected to the central disc shaped portion, said first outer annular hinge ring portion and said second inner annular hinge ring portion each having a thickness which is smaller than the first thickness. When an at least substantially circular upstanding ring is provided on the central annular hinge ring, in which said at least substantially circular upstanding ring extends within the interior space of the pad, the central annular hinge ring will substantially not be deformed during supply of fluid under pressure and thus the orientation of the central disc shaped portion will not alter during use, i.e. it will e.g. be parallel to the first sheet both before use (i.e. in the initial stable position) and after use (i.e. in the final stable position).

In this regard the orientation of the central bottom portion is further stabilized by providing on the central bottom portion, preferably on the central disc shaped portion, at least one tubular stud, wherein said at least one tubular stud extends within the interior space of the pad. Preferably the tubular stud is hollow and comprises a stud channel communicating with the at least one outlet opening. It is then preferred that the at least one hollow tubular stud comprises radial through going apertures opening into the stud channel. The stud extends into the beverage preparation product and thereby provides stability to the orientation of the central bottom portion or the central disc shaped portion during use.

The invention also relates to a system including a machine and a pad according to the invention, wherein the machine is equipped with a holder for accommodating the pad, a fid for closing the holder and fluid supply means for generating a fluid flow under pressure, wherein the holder is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening and the lid features at least one fluid inlet opening, which is in fluid connection with the fluid supply means for feeding the fluid flow to the fluid inlet openings for feeding the fluid under pressure to the first sheet of the pad and for forcing the fluid through the pad for preparation of the beverage in the pad, wherein the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet and the outlet opening to then exit the holder through the at least one beverage exit opening.

The invention further relates to a system including a machine equipped with a holder comprising at least one beverage exit opening and being arranged for accommodating a standard (known) pad comprising two sheets of filtering paper connected to each other at the circumferential edges thereof and enclosing an interior space containing roast and ground coffee, a lid for closing the holder, and fluid supply means for generating an aqueous fluid flow under pressure, wherein the system further comprises a pad according to the invention that in use is accommodated in the holder, wherein the holder is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening and the lid features at least one fluid inlet opening, which is in fluid connection with the fluid supply means for feeding the fluid flow to the fluid inlet openings for feeding the aqueous fluid under pressure to the first sheet of the pad and for forcing the aqueous fluid through the pad for preparation of the beverage in the pad, wherein the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet and the outlet opening to then exit the holder through the at least one beverage exit opening.

According to the invention such a system may advantageously have a seal formed between the pad and the holder, which seal is advantageously at least one of a static and a dynamic seal. Preferably the seal is formed between the shell at its exterior and the holder so that a flow of the fluid from a top side of the pad around the pad to the at least one beverage exit opening of the pad holder is prevented. A static seal can be formed by a contact at a location between an outwardly directed perimeter flange of the pad, which extends outwardly and downwardly, and a confronting outer edge of the holder.

With a dynamic fluid seal the fluid pressure is used to improve contact between the shell and the holder. Preferably the dynamic fluid seal is formed between an outer portion of the pad and the holder at locations positioned at a smaller distance to a center of the pad than the location of the static fluid seal.

The substantially rigid shell also ensures that at least a static fluid seal can be obtained between the pad and a holder to allow the increased pressure drop in the pad to build up. Generally an initial static sealing is required to enable an increased pressure drop to be created, while a dynamic sealing is advantageously employed to sustain the increased pressure drop. With dynamic sealing, the pressure drop itself is providing the sealing force, in that the more pressure drop there is across the shell during brewing, the higher the seal pressure between the pad and the pad holder. Please note that annular bi-stable hinge is configured such that - in use - the force with which the central disc shaped portion presses on the holder is less then the closing force with which the lid closes the holder and does not influence the static and/or dynamic seal between pad and holder.

In an advantageous embodiment of a system according to the invention, the holder is equipped with a bowl-shaped interior space bounded by a bottom of the holder and an upstanding side wall of the holder, wherein the bottom of the holder is equipped with a circumventing and in itself closed first bottom part that is adjacent to the side wall of the holder and a dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder that is adjacent to an inner edge of the first bottom part, wherein the dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder adjacent the first bottom part of the holder in a direction oriented away from the side wall of the holder and oriented inwardly of the holder slopes downwardly and wherein the at least one beverage exit opening of the holder is provided in the dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder.

It is then preferred that, in use, the first bottom part of the holder is horizontal. Preferably the pad is then arranged to - in use - rest on the bottom of the holder, preferably the first bottom part of the pad rests on the first bottom part of the holder, wherein the shell coextends with the bottom to adjacent an upstanding wall of the holder. Preferably the bottom of the holder, at least in part, is smooth and is manufactured of a plastic and/or metal. Preferably it also applies that an outer side of the shell has a shape that corresponds with the shape of the bottom of the holder. This allows the referred to seal optimally.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention the dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder includes an inner flat bottom part, said inner flat bottom part being provided with a plurality of nipples protruding from the inner flat bottom part, the tips of the nipples forming part of the bottom of the holder on which the pad rests during use, the inner flat bottom part being provided with grooves formed between the nipples, which grooves form a fluid path to the at least one beverage exit opening.

In addition, preferably, in use, the pad and the holder are configured such that the at least one circular rib of the pad extends downwardly from the shell into a recess in the bottom of the holder for centering the pad in the holder, said recess being formed by a space between the nipples, such as for example by a groove formed between the nipples. As a result, the pad is well centered in the holder and with it the position of the pad in the holder is fixed. In addition, because the shape of the bottom of the pad, that is, the form of which is determined by the outside of the shell and the form of the holder are fixed in advance, the position is well predetermined in advance.

In a still further embodiment of a system according to the invention the fluid supply means for generating a fluid flow under pressure are arranged for generating an absolute pressure of 1.8-2.2 bar. Preferably the central bi-stable bottom portion is then configured such that it is displaced from its initial stable position towards its final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar. This means that at 1.5 bar the central bi-stable bottom portion is starting to move from its initial stable position. Preferably, the nipples of the holder and the central bistable bottom portion are configured such that when - in use - the central bistable bottom portion is displaced from its initial stable position to its final stable position, the central bi-stable bottom portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches its final stable position. It is then preferred that in this intermediate position the central bi-stable bottom portion exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder.

The central bi-stable bottom portion is advantageously arranged such that the upward force is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact.

Alternatively, when the central bottom portion comprises an annular bi-stable hinge, it is preferred that the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion is configured such that the annular bi-stable hinge is displaced from its initial stable position towards its final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar. This means that at 1.5 bar the central disc shaped portion is starting to move from its initial stable position. Preferably, the nipples of the holder and the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion are configured such that when - in use - the annular bi-stable hinge is displaced from the initial stable position to the final stable position, the central disc shaped portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches the final stable position. It is then preferred that in this intermediate position the central disc shaped portion exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder. The central bottom portion is then advantageously arranged such that the upward force is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact.

In this regard, it is also preferred that the holder is substantially made of metal with a smooth surface and the rigid shell is of plastic, and wherein the fluid seal between the shell and the holder is established by a line contact between the smooth metal surface of the holder and the plastic surface of the rigid shell.

In a further embodiment of a system according to the invention, the pad is arranged such that, in use when the pad is positioned in the holder, a fluid seal is formed between the pad and the holder to reduce or prevent a flow of the fluid around the pad from a top side of the pad to the at least one beverage exit opening of the holder is at least one of a static seal, which provides a sealing engagement between the pad and the holder under the sole influence of gravity on the pad, and a dynamic seal, which provides a sealing engagement between the pad and the holder under the influence of the pressure of the fluid on top of the pad.

The invention still further relates to a method for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving with a system according to the invention, wherein the method comprises the step of placing the pad in a holder that is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening, the step of closing the holder containing the pad with a lid that has at least one fluid opening, and the step of supplying a fluid under pressure to the at least one fluid opening so that the fluid via the first sheet is fed to the beverage preparation product in the pad for preparing the beverage and where the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet and the at least one outlet opening, wherein the beverage then leaves the holder via the at least one beverage exit opening. Preferably, the shell at its underside forms a fluid seal with the holder so that a flow of the fluid from a top side of the pad around the pad to the exit opening of the holder is prevented. In this regard, it is preferred that the holder is substantially made of metal with a smooth surface and the rigid shell is of plastic, and wherein the fluid seal between the shell and the holder is estabhshed by a line contact between the smooth metal surface of the holder and the plastic surface of the rigid shell.

In an embodiment of a method according to the invention the fluid is supplied to the first sheet at an absolute pressure of 1.8-2.2 bar.

In a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention the central bi-stable bottom portion is starting to be displaced from the initial stable position towards its final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar. It is then advantageous when the nipples of the holder and the central bi-stable bottom portion are configured such that during displacement of the central bi-stable bottom portion from its initial stable position to its final stable position, the central bi-stable bottom portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches its final stable position, and preferably exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder. The upward force exerted by the central bi-stable bottom portion is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact, and preferably of such strength that when the step of supplying fluid under pressure is stopped and the fid is opened the central bi-stable bottom portion is displaced from its intermediate portion to its final stable portion thereby partly lifting the pad from the holder.

In an alternative method according to the invention the central disc shaped portion is starting to be displaced from the initial stable position towards its final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar. It is then advantageous when the nipples of the holder and the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion are configured such that during displacement of the annular bi-stable hinge from its initial stable position towards its final stable position, the central disc shaped portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches the final stable position, and preferably exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder.

The upward force exerted by the central bottom portion is preferably of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact, and preferably of such a strength that when the step of supplying fluid under pressure is stopped and the lid is opened the central disc shaped portion is displaced from its intermediate portion to its final stable portion thereby partly lifting the pad from the holder.

In a further embodiment of a method according to the invention, selectively the pad according to the invention is used or a standard (known) coffee pad with an interior space that is filled with ground coffee wherein the interior space is formed by a first sheet and a second sheet that adjacent their perimeter edges are connected to each other, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet also form an outer side of the pad and each are manufactured of filtering paper, and wherein the standard coffee pad and the holder are adapted to each other so that the standard coffee pad can be accommodated in the holder for preparing coffee, such that in use the fluid under pressure is fed to the top of the pad and is pressed through the pad so that the fluid which flows through the first sheet forms a coffee extract in the pad that then leaves the pad through the second sheet and wherein the coffee extract then leaves the holder via the grooves of the holder flowing to the beverage exit opening of the holder and exits the holder via the beverage exit opening of the holder. In particular the method then comprises the step of preparing one single serving of a beverage with a primary and a secondary pad, one of the primary and secondary pads is a pad according to the invention and the other of the primary and secondary pads is a standard known pad comprising two sheets of filtering paper connected to each other at the circumferential edges thereof and enclosing an interior space containing a soluble product, wherein in the method (i) the primary pad is placed in the holder that is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening, the holder containing the primary pad is closed with the hd that has at least one fluid opening, and an aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the at least one fluid opening so that the aqueous fluid via the first sheet is fed to the beverage preparation product in the pad for preparing the beverage and where the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet, and then leaves the holder via the at least one beverage exit opening; and (ii) repeating step (i) for the secondary pad. Preferably, the primary pad is the standard known pad and the secondary pad is the pad according to the invention.

Preferably the secondary pad and the primary pad are each appropriately marked as a primary pad or a secondary pad for a two-step beverage preparation process. In such a manner also a kit of parts can be provided according to the invention, for allowing a consumer to prepare a large variety of beverages. By first introducing the primary pad containing a dairy or dairy replacement product in the coffee machine and activating the coffee machine and thereafter introducing the secondary pad comprising roast and ground coffee, the white foam head of the previously prepared dairy or dairy replacement product, e.g. the milk powder/creamer ingredient, will float on the coffee extract. Beverages such as cappuccino, latte macchiato, or wiener mélange can then be prepared with visual separate layers. The primary pad may be a pillow-shaped pouch known in the art. Alternatively, the primary pad may be a pad comprising two sheets of filtering paper connected to each other forming an interior space which interior space comprises a form providing stiffening body such as e.g. described in EP-A-1 398 279. Please note that it is also possible to use a first pad according to the invention as primary pad containing a first beverage preparation product and to thereafter use a second pad according to the invention containing a second beverage preparation product differing from the first one.

According to the invention optionally an additional permeable spacer filter can be interposed between the beverage preparation product and the first sheet of the pad . The interior space of a pad necessary to accommodate a soluble beverage preparation substance, such as a creamer, is usually larger than the space necessary to accommodate an extractable beverage preparation substance, such as ground coffee. In a two-step beverage preparing process it may be preferable to employ uniform pad sizes for the primary and secondary pads irrespective of the beverage ingredient contained in the pad, e.g. in a package containing a first plurality of primary pads, and a second plurality of secondary pads it allows stacking of the respective pads at the same height. During brewing a problem of channel forming may then occur when ground coffee is accommodated within a space that is large enough to hold a creamer ingredient. To avoid this problem the additional spacer filter enables a bed of ground coffee to be contained in a rigid shell, which is of a size large enough to be filled with a soluble creamer, when the additional spacer filter is not used. The coffee bed is retained by the spacer filter, so that the coffee bed cannot be disturbed by the hot water that in use permeates under pressure through the first filter sheet. This prevents channel forming, whicl would have an adverse effect on the taste of the beverage. The spacer filter can conveniently be made from any suitable porous or perforated flexible, semi-rigid, o rigid material. In an alternative embodiment of the pad which comprises the spacer, preferably flexible porous material such as paper filter, the first filter sheel may be deleted so that the spacer filter in fact functions also as the first filter sheet.

To all the pad embodiments described above it applies that some form of packaging will be required for shipment and for extended shelf live. It is for instance possible that the pad is contained in an airtight wrapping prior to use to improve shelf-life. The wrapping may hold one single pad, but also a combination of pads intended to be used in the preparation of one single beverage serving. The pad may also individually comprises a bottom seal.

The bottom seal then closes off the outlet side prior to use. The bottom seal is at least partially removable from the bottom of the pad by peeling and can have a lip to enable easy removal by a user of the pad. The pad may further need a top seal that closes off the first sheet prior to use. The top seal is also at least partially removable from the pad by peeling and can also have a lip for easy removal by a user. The removably connected bottom seal and top seal improve shelf life of the product inside the pad by preventing air to enter the pad via inlet and outlet openings. In a special variant the lip of the bottom seal can be connected to the lip of the top seal. Thereby the bottom seal and the top seal can be made unitary, so that a user cannot accidentally forget to remove one of the bottom or top peel seals. When using airtight peel seals, a packaging holding one or more pads then does not have to be airtight. A package for holding one or more pads, may be in the form of a box, can or bag. When in the form of a box or can, the pads can conveniently be arranged in stacks. When the pads are not individually wrapped or provided with peel seals, the package holding a plurality of unwrapped pads needs to provide a barrier to oxygen and humidity. Moreover it may then be desirable to also include one-way valve means to enable any gases, such as emanating from roast and ground coffee, to escape. This would prevent any gas pressures to build up within the package. Such devices are known in the art.

The invention will now be clarified in reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view, partly in cross section, of a pad according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below showing a shell of the pad of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in cross section, of the shell of the pad of Figure 1 in which the bi-stable annular hinge is positioned in the initial stable position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of the pad according to Figure 1 in position for insertion into a pad holder of a coffee machine;

Figure 5A is a partial transverse cross sectional view of the pad of Figure 1 accommodated in the holder, without fluid pressure, forming a static fluid seal;

Figure 5B is view similar to Figure 5A, but pressed down by fluid pressure and forming a dynamic fluid seal;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a coffee machine with the pad of Figure 1 accommodated in the pad holder;

Figure 7 A is a view in cross section, of the shell of the pad of Figure 1 accommodated in the pad holder in which the bi-stable annular hinge of the is positioned in the initial stable position;

Figure 7B is a view in cross section, of the shell of the pad of Figure 1 accommodated in the pad holder during preparing a beverage in which the bi-stable annular hinge contacts the nipples of the holder;

Figure 8 is a perspective fragmentary view of a coffee machine and pad holder, ready to perform a two-step beverage preparing process with at least one pad according to the invention; and

Figure 9 is a view in cross section of an embodiment of a pad according to th invention in which the central bi-stable bottom portion in its initial stable position is concave and in its final stable position is convex.

The invention will be described below in more detail based on the embodiment in which the bi-stable central bottom portion comprises an annular bi stable hinge and a central disc shaped portion.

However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment but e.g. also extends to embodiments in which the pad Γ comprises a flat bottom part 16’ comprising an annular bottom portion 117’ positioned radially outward of a centra] disc shaped portion 116’ comprising at least one outlet opening 12’. The shell 10’ of the pad 1’ on its outer side is equipped with at least one circular in itself closed rib 40’ (see Figure 9) for reinforcing the shell. The central bi-stable bottom portion 116 in its initial stable position (without fluid pressure) is concave as indicated with the solid hne and in its final stable position is convex as indicated by the broken line. Supply of pressurized fluid thus ‘plops’ the central bi-stable bottom portion 116’ outward, wherein the annular connection of the bottom portion 116’ to the annular bottom portion 117’ can be seen as a kind of hinge 118’.

The description of the invention will now continue with regard to a pad having an annular bi-stable hinge.

Indicated in Figure 1 with reference number 1 is a pad for use in a coffee machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving. The pad 1 is shown in exploded view and is provided with components forming a covering (reference numeral 2 in Figure 2) to define an interior space 4 which is filled with ; beverage preparation product 6. Figure 1 shows the components of the pad 1 parth in cross section. The pad in its fully assembled form is shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5 The beverage preparation product 6 such as ground coffee is intended for preparinj at least one part of a single beverage serving by extraction thereof with a fluid sud as hot water. The covering 2 is formed by a first disc-shaped sheet 8 and a discshaped rigid shell 10. The first sheet 8, which in the shown embodiment is made oJ flexible material, and the rigid shell 10 are connected to each other adjacent their perimeter edges 11, 30. The connection can be established using glue, welding, or, for example, heat sealing. Such bonding techniques are well known to those skillec in the art and need no further explanation.

The rigid shell 10 is made of a plastic, more particularly of PP, or for instance cardboard or a bio-based plastic material. Thereby the shell preferably is substantially impermeable to aqueous fluids. The shell 10 comprises a bottom having a flat bottom part 16 which is equipped with at least one outlet opening 12 having a diameter of a sufficient size for passing the beverage, preferably in a substantially unrestricted manner.

On the inner side 14 of the shell 10 at the flat bottom 16 part of the shell 10 are arranged channels 18, which are in fluid connection to the at least one outlet opening 12 to form a beverage or fluid collecting structure. The channels 18 in this example extend generally in radial direction with respect to the outlet opening 12 and are formed by a plurality of elongate protrusions or ridges 20. Between the protrusions 20 the channels 18 are formed. In this example, the top of the protrusions 20 is regarded as the bottom of the rigid shell 10.

The pad has a second disc-shaped sheet 22 that is positioned at the flat bottom part of the shell, as formed by the ridges 20, covers the channels 18 and is supported by the ridges 20. A horizontal distance between the ridges 20, their position and height, is arranged such that in combination with the material characteristics of the second sheet 22 this will be fully supported and will not sag into the channels 18 so as not to impede the fluid flow to the outlet opening 12. Attachment of the second sheet 22 around its perimeter to the shell 10 and/or to the protruding ridges 20 may preferably be employed to further ensure this function. As it can be seen in Figure 1, the second sheet 22 is positioned between the beverage preparation product 6 and the shell 10. The first sheet 8 and the second sheet 22 each form a filter for allowing a fluid such as water and extracted beverage to pass, but which forms a barrier for the beverage preparation product 6. In this example, both sheets 8, 22 are of a flexible material, in the sense that it can be bended and folded, but offers little or no resiliency. One and the other ensures that in use, when a fluid under pressure is fed to the flexible first sheet 8 of the pad 1, the fluid flows through the first sheet 8 to the beverage preparation product 6 so that the beverage is formed, which beverage then flows through the second sheet 22 via the channels 18, the at least one outlet 12, and leaves the pad 1.

In this example it applies furthermore that the shell 10 is formed such that the interior space 4 is bowl-shaped. An outer side 24 of the shell 10 forms the outer side of the pad 1. The shell 10 is equipped with a circumventing and in itself closed first bottom part 26. The first bottom part 26 in this example, is ring-shaped, and includes an inner edge 28 and an outside edge 30 (see Figure 2).

Furthermore, the shell 10 includes a dish-shaped second bottom part 32, which connects to the inner edge 28 of the first bottom part 26. The dish shaped second bottom part 32 extends in a direction away from the inner edge 28 of the first bottom part 26, which direction also is directed inwardly towards the bowl-shaped interior space of the pad 1 in a downward direction. The mentioned direction in this example is in fact the radial direction of the disc-shaped shell 10 to the outlet 12.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the at least one outlet 12 is positioned in the dish-shaped second bottom part 32.

The first bottom part 26 is as shown in Figure 2, is substantially horizontally oriented when used in the coffee machine. As said, the dishshaped second bottom part 32 adjacent the first bottom part 26 extends in a direction away from the inner edge 28 oriented towards the interior space of the pad downwardly. This sloping area is indicated in Figure 3 as h. The sloping area h connects to the flat bottom part 16 of the dish-shaped second bottom part 32, which flat part in Figure 1 is referred to with D. The second sheet 22 extends only over the flat bottom part D of the dish-shaped second bottom part 32.

The mentioned channels 18 extend only in the flat bottom part 16, D of the dish-shaped second bottom part 32. Each channel 18 extends at a distance from a circumferentially closed outer edge 34 of the flat bottom part in the direction of the at least one outlet 12. A smallest distance between an end of each of the channels 18 and the outer edge 34 of the flat part of the second bottom part 32 is greater than ten percent of a maximum diameter in the horizontal direction of the flat part of the dish-shaped second bottom part 32. In the drawing this maximum diameter is indicated with D (Figure 1).

As can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B the flexible first sheet 8 is connected with the first bottom part 26. This connection can for example be by gluing or heat sealing, as is conventional. The flexible first sheet 8 and the second sheet 22 border directly to the beverage preparation product 6. In this example, 6-8 gram extractable product, that is 6-8 grams of ground coffee will be present. Conceivably other amounts of beverage preparation product, such as 5-10, and preferably 6-9 gram are also possible. The second sheet 22 adjacent to its circumferential in itself closed perimeter edge 36 is connected with the shell 10, in this example, with the flat bottom part of the second bottom part 32. This connection can also, for example, be achieved by conventional gluing or heat sealing. Moreover, in this example, it applies that both the flexible first sheet 8 and the second sheet 22 are made of a non-woven material, more particularly of filtering paper. The filtering paper includes in this example at least 70 % and even at least 80 % cellulose.

Other possibilities include a 100% PP/PET based non-woven materials, biodegradable non-wovens, and PLA-like filtering materials. Evidently other materials or substrates permeable to aqueous liquids, such as a mesh, are also possible.

The shell 10 on its outer side 24 is also equipped with at least one circular in itself closed rib 40 (see e.g. Figures 2 and 3) for reinforcing the shell. As an alternative to reinforcement, or in addition thereto, the circular rib 40 can also assist in positioning of the pad into a pad holder. A mating fitment of the circular rib 40 with a complementary recessed structure on a bottom of a pad holder can also be used to prevent placement in pad holder variants that are not intended to cooperate with the subject pad.

As is shown in Figures 1-3 the flat bottom part 16 comprises a central bottom portion comprising a central disc shaped portion 116 comprising the at least one outlet opening 12, an annular bottom portion 117 positioned radially outward of the central disc shaped portion 116, and an annular bistable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117. As can best be seen in Figure 3 in this embodiment the annular bi-stable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117 comprises a central annular hinge ring 118A having a first thickness, a first outer annular hinge ring portion 118B connected to the annular bottom portion 117 and a second inner annular hinge ring portion 118C connected to the central disc shaped portion 116. The first outer annular hinge ring portion 118B and the second inner annular hinge ring portion 118C each having a thickness which is smaller than the first thickness for providing a reproducible hinge action. An at least substantially circular upstanding ring 119 is provided on the central annular hinge ring 118A and extends within the interior space 4 of the pad. In the shown embodiment the annular bi-stable hinge 118 is positioned radially within the at least one substantially circular rib 40.

The annular bi-stable hinge 118 of the pad is configured such that, before aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the first sheet 8 of the pad, the annular bi-stable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117 is positioned in an initial stable position in which the central disc shaped portion 116 in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge 30 of the shell 10 than the annular bottom portion 118, as e.g. is indicated in Figures 3, 6 and 7 A. In addition, the annular bi-stable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117 is configured such that during supply of aqueous fluid under pressure to the first sheet 8 of the pad, the annular bi-stable hinge 118 is displaced from the initial stable position to a final stable position in which the central disc shaped portion 116 in an axial direction of the pad is positioned at a larger distance from the perimeter edge 30 of the shell 10 than the annular bottom portion 117, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 7B.

Referring to Figures 3, 7A and 7B the orientation of the central disc shaped portion 116 is stabilized by providing on the central disc shaped portion 118A at least one tubular stud extending within the interior space 4 of the pad 1. Although a number of studs may be used it appears to be sufficient to use one, preferably central the tubular stud. In this embodiment the tubular stud 120 is hollow and comprises a stud channel 121 communicating with the at least one outlet opening 12. The tubular stud 120 also comprises radial through going apertures 122 opening into the stud channel 121 so that beverage can flow to the outlet opening 12. Since the stud extends into the beverage preparation product it thereby provides stability to the orientation of the central disc shaped portion 116 during use.

The pad 1 is suitable for use in an itself known manner. For example the pad can be placed in a holder that is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening. The holder containing the pad is closed with a lid that is equipped with at least one fluid inlet opening. Next, a fluid under pressure is fed through the at least one fluid inlet opening so that the fluid is fed via the flexible first sheet to the beverage preparation product in the pad. Here the beverage preparation product is extracted with the fluid. The fluid in this example is hot water. By extraction a beverage is created, which beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet, the channels and the at least one outlet opening. Thus the beverage flows from the bottom of the pad in the holder and then leaves the holder through the at least one beverage exit opening. An example of this is discussed on the basis of Figures 4 to 6.

In Figures 4-6 the holder 50 from a coffee machine or coffee machine 52 is shown, in which in Figures 5 and 6 the pad 1 is accommodated in the holder 50. In addition, the coffee machine 52, as shown in Figure 6, features a lid 54 equipped with a plurality of fluid inlet openings 56. The coffee machine 52 is equipped with a fluid supply means, in the shown embodiment a pump 58 and a reservoir 60 for the supply of hot water. Also the coffee machine 52 is equipped with a control unit 62. The pump 58 is in fluid connection with the lid 54 via a tube 63. The holder 50 comes with a bowl-shaped interior space 64 bounded by a bottom 66 of the holder and an upstanding side wall 68 of the holder. The bottom 66 of the holder is equipped with a circumferential in itself closed first bottom part 70 which is adjacent to the side wall 68 of the holder. The first bottom part 70, in this example, is ring-shaped and flat. The bottom 66 of the holder is part of a dish-shaped second bottom part 72 wherein the dish-shaped second bottom part 72 of the holder adjacent the first bottom part 70 of the holder in a direction oriented away from the side wall 68 of the holder slopes downwardly. In other words, the dish-shaped second bottom part 72 slopes in a radial direction oriented to the interior space 64 of the holder 50. The area that slopes in Figure 4 is indicated with h’. As best shown in Figures 4 and 6 the dish-shaped second bottom part 72 borders to an interior space edge 74 of the first bottom part 70. The first bottom part 70 of the holder 50 is horizontally oriented and has a width that in Figure 4 is indicated with d’. In addition, the dish-shaped second bottom part 72 of the holder is provided with grooves 76, which form a fluid path to the at least one outlet 78 of the holder. The dish-shaped second bottom part 72 of the holder includes an inner flat bottom part with a diameter D’, of which the grooves are provided in the inner flat bottom part (see Figure 4).

The at least one outlet 78 of the holder in this example is provided with a nozzle to generate a jet of the beverage. The holder in this example is equipped with an impact surface 80 (see Figures 4 and 6) upon which the generated jet impacts for beating air into the beverage for obtaining a beverage with a fine-bubbled foam layer. Thereby air is mixed into the beverage at the cylindrical wall of the outlet 78 that surrounds the impact surface 80. The pad 1 rest on the bottom 66 of the holder wherein the shell itself coextends with the bottom 66 of the holder to adjacent the upstanding side wall 68 of the holder. The first bottom part 26 of the pad 1 rests on the first bottom part 70 of the holder. This involves that the outside of the shell has a shape that corresponds with the shape of the bottom 66 of the holder. As it can be seen in Figure 6 the at least one circular rib 40 of the pad extends into at least one recess that is formed in the bottom 66 of the holder for centering the pad in the holder.

In this example, as best seen in Figure 4, grooves 76 are formed between a plurality of nipples 82 protruding from the bottom 66 of the holder. The tips of the nipples 82 form part of the bottom 66 of the holder, in particular are part of the flat part (indicated by D’) of the bottom 66 of the holder. The bottom at least in part is smooth and is made of plastic and/or metal. The top of the nipples are smooth, just like the rest of the bottom.

The mentioned at least one recess in which the at least one rib 40 of the pad extends are also formed by the nipples 82. The system described up to this point works as explained below. A user opens the lid 54 and then places a pad in the holder 50. Thereby the pad will automatically assume its correct position relative to the holder by the rib 40 engaging into the corresponding recesses in the bottom 66 of the holder 50. The holder 50 is then closed with the lid 54.

Then a user can control the control unit 62. As a result, the pump 58 starts and hot water from the reservoir 60 will be supplied for a predetermined time period to the lid 54 through the tube 64. The hot water, that is, the fluid, will then be fed to a top of the pad through the fluid inlet openings 56. The hot water enters the pad through the flexible first sheet 8. After this the hot water comes into contact with the ground coffee so that coffee extract is formed. This coffee extract will flow through the second sheet 22 at those positions where the channels 18 of the shell 10 are located. At positions where the second sheet 22 rests against the flat bottom part 16 of the shell 10 there will, at least substantially, flow no beverage through the second sheet 22. The beverage then flows through the channels 18 to the outlet 12 of the pad.

It is further noted that the pad 1 and the holder 50 form a fluid seal where the pad 1 is in contact with the bottom 66 of the holder. It is noted that the grooves 76 of the holder have no particular role here. The pad 1 and the holder 50 form a fluid seal, which is reinforced by the pressure drop over the pad 1 and properties of the substantially rigid shell 10, that permit the shell 10 to soften slightly at the brewing temperature and conform its shape to that of the pad holder 50.

As best seen in Figures 5A and 5B the pad 1 and the holder 50 form a fluid seal, which is reinforced by the pressure drop over the pad 1 and by properties of the rigid shell 10, that permit the shell 10 to soften slightly at the brewing temperature and conform its shape to that of the second dish or bowl-shaped bottom part 72 of the pad holder 50. In Figure 5A the pad 1 is shown when accommodated in the holder 50, without fluid pressure, and forming a static fluid seal. The static seal between the pad 1 and the holder 50 is formed between an outwardly directed perimeter flange (first bottom part 26) of the pad 1 at its outer perimeter edge 30 and a confronting outwardly directed flange 70 (circumferential first bottom part) of the holder 50. Sufficient static sealing may already be obtained by gravity through the weight of the pad 1 being supported on the outwardly directed flange 70 of the holder 50 via the outer edge 30 of the pad 1. As shown in Figure 5A the outwardly directed perimeter flange of the pad, formed by the first bottom part 26 of the shell 10, inclines slightly downwardly, so that initial contact with the flange 70 of the holder 50 will be through the outermost perimeter edge 30 of the pad 1. It is further seen in Figure 5A that still a gap 41 exists between the remainder of the rigid shell 10 and the second bottom part 72 of the holder 50. In Figure 5B the pad 1 in the holder 50 is shown, when pressed down by fluid pressure and forming an additional dynamic fluid seal, in that an outer annular portion of the flat bottom part of the shell 10 now firmly contacts the bottom 66 of the holder 50. Initial contact between the flat bottom part of the shell 10 and the bottom 66 of the holder will start at a point indicated with 51, where the deflection of the shell 10 under pressure forces its bottom part against the holder 50. The dynamic seal uses the fluid pressure to improve contact between the shell 10 and the holder 50. The more pressure drop there is across the shell 10 and its beverage preparation product 6 during brewing, the higher the contact pressure will be between the flat underside of the shell 10 and the pad holder 50. It is thereby prevented that any hot water fed to the top of the pad can flow directly to the outlet 78 of the holder 50 by bypassing the pad 1. The beverage can thus only flow through the outlet 78 of the holder 50.

The beverage can then be collected in a cup that is placed under the holder 50. The grooves 76 of the holder when using the pad 1 play no important role. As will be discussed these grooves do play a relevant role when the system is extended to include another type of in itself known coffee pad.

In addition to creating a dynamic fluid seal during the supply of water under pressure, the supply of fluid under pressure also causes the displacement of the bi-stable annular hinge 118 from the initial stable position to the final stable position as will be explained with reference to Figures 7A and 7B. The situation shown in Figure 7A corresponds to the one shown in Figure 5A, and here the pad 1 is shown when accommodated in the holder 50, without fluid pressure. In this situation the annular bi-stable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117 is arranged in the initial stable position in which the central disc shaped portion 116 in an axial direction of the pad 1 is positioned closer to the perimeter edge 30 of the shell 10 than the annular bottom portion 117. The situation shown in Figure 7B corresponds to the situation shown in Figure 5B in which the pad 1 in the holder 50 is shown, when pressed down by fluid pressure. The fluid supply means of the coffee machine 52 for generating a fluid flow under pressure are arranged for generating an absolute pressure in the range of 1.8-2.2 bar. The annular bistable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117 is configured such that the annular bi-stable hinge 118 starts to be displaced from the initial stable position towards a final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B the nipples 82 of the holder 50 and the annular bi-stable hinge 118 connecting the central disc shaped portion 116 to the annular bottom portion 117 are configured such that when - in use - the annular bi-stable hinge 118 is being displaced from the initial stable position to the final stable position, the central disc shaped portion 116 takes in an intermediate position in which it contacts the tips of the nipples 82 before it reaches its final stable position. Thus, during supply of fluid under pressure with a value above about 1.5 bar the central disc shaped portion exerts a force on the nipples 82 of the holder 50 trying to push the pad away from the holder, However, the closure of the pad by the lid 54 and the force exerted by the pressurized fluid on other parts of the shell exceeds this pushing force and ensure that the fluid seals between the pad and the holder remain intact. After the at least one portion of the beverage has been prepared the pump 58 is deactivated so that no pressurized fluid is supplied any more. After the user opens the fid 54 the central disc shaped portion 118 is displaced from its intermediate position contacting the nipples 82 to its final stable position, and thus at least reduces the forces which cause the used pad 1 to stick to the holder 50. The pad can thus be removed more easily from the holder after use.

The coffee machine of Figure 6 is also suitable to cooperate with a standard (known) coffee pad that includes a flexible first sheet and a flexible second sheet between which the ground coffee is located. This first sheet second sheet are each manufactured of flexible filtering paper and are connected to each other adjacent their perimeter edges, as explained in EP 0 904 717. Such standard pads are generally formed as pillow-shaped pouches. If this standard coffee pad is placed in the holder, the user will make sure that the second sheet of the coffee pad coextends with the bottom 66 of the holder to the side wall of the holder, the holder can then be closed with the lid 54. Entirely analogous as set out above, hot water is fed through the fluid inlet openings 56 to the coffee pad. The coffee pad will form a fluid seal at those places of the bottom 66 of the holder where the holder does not have grooves 76. The consequence is that the hot water is pressed through the coffee bed and leaves the coffee pad where the grooves are. The coffee extract then flows via the grooves to the outlet of the holder. The coffee extract then leaves the holder. The grooves of the holder now have a function and determine here where the beverage can leave the coffee pad and bring about a good and uniform extraction of the coffee bed formed by the ground coffee in the coffee pad.

When the coffee extract leaves the holder, the outlet of the holder still produces a jet of the beverage striking the impact surface 80. The result is that air is beaten into the coffee extract so that, when the coffee extract is collected in a cup then, a fine-bubbled foam layer is provided. Because the coffee pad in this case does neither have a rigid shell nor an outlet opening as compared to the coffee pad 1 of Figures 1-6, and because usually the coffee machine is time-controlled and during the same time period as discussed above hot water is supplied to the standard coffee pad, a larger amount of coffee extract will be formed, in this example is between 110 and 130 ml. Now, a jet will be formed by the beverage as a result of which air enters the beverage. It is therefore possible with one and the same coffee machine of Figure 6 using a regular coffee pad to prepare a café crème, while with the coffee pad according to Figures 1-3 a different coffee can be made.

The invention is by no means limited to these embodiments. In the example of Figure 6 a seal 88 is present between the lid and the holder. It is also possible that a seal is present between the lid and the top side of the pad according to Figures 1-3. In that case, it is no longer important that a seal is present between the pad according to Figures 1-3 and the holder. The holder 50 can further come with a handle 90 as shown in Figure 4. Additionally, but not shown in the drawings, it is also possible for the pad to include a handle. In that case the handle can be fixed to the shell and/or the handle and the shell can be manufactured in one piece.

In Figure 8 a two-step method for preparing a beverage is indicated using a coffee machine 552 marketed under the Senseo® trademark with primary and secondary pads 501, 601. Such specialty beverages can include cappuccino, latte macchiato, wiener mélange, or like hot drinks. At least one of the primary and secondary pads 501, 601 is a pad according to the invention as described in reference to any one of the Figures 1 to 7. The Senseo® coffee machine 552 accepts a removable holder 550 that is provided with a handle 590 for its manipulation. In turn the holder 550 can adapt the primary pad 501, which in Figure 8 is shown ready for insertion. Upon insertion of the primary pad 501 into the holder 550 as described in the examples hereinabove, a lid 554 can be closed to extract or dissolve the beverage preparation product in the primary pad 501. The coffee machine 552 is provided with a water reservoir 560 from which water is supplied and heated in a known manner, as also schematically illustrated in Figure 6. This step is repeated for the second pad 601, while one and the same receptacle, such as a cup or mug remains positioned under a dispensing funnel 579 of the coffee machine 552 to collect the beverage ingredient from both the primary and the secondary pads 501, 601. When a normal size of cup 15 is to be filled with beverage ingredients from two successive pads 501, 601 for producing e.g. a weak coffee an outlet opening having a relatively large diameter can be used.

The interior space of a pad necessary to accommodate a soluble beverage preparation substance, such as a creamer, is usually larger than the space necessary to accommodate an extractable beverage preparation substance, such as ground coffee. Nonetheless it may be preferable to employ uniform pad sizes for the primary and secondary pads in a two-step beverage preparing process as described in reference to Figure 8, and irrespective of the beverage ingredient contained in the pad. During brewing a problem of channel forming may occur when ground coffee is accommodated within a space large enough to hold a creamer ingredient. To avoid this problem an additional permeable spacer filter can be provided between the first sheet 8 and the creamer. This spacer filter can conveniently be made from any suitable porous or perforated flexible, semirigid, or rigid material. Alternatively the first filter sheet may be deleted so that the spacer filter in fact functions also as the first filter sheet.

Claims

Claims

1. Pad for use in a machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving, which pad, for use in the machine, is adapted to receive an aqueous fluid that is supplied under pressure to the pad for forcing the fluid through the pad for obtaining the at least one part of the beverage serving that then exits the pad, wherein the pad includes a covering defining an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage, wherein the covering comprises a flexible first sheet having a perimeter edge and a substantially rigid shell having a perimeter edge, said shell comprising a bottom having a substantially flat bottom part, wherein the first sheet and the shell are connected to each other around their perimeter edges, wherein the shell is equipped with at least one outlet opening, wherein the pad is further equipped with a second sheet that is positioned on the bottom of the shell, wherein the second sheet is located between the beverage preparation product and the shell and wherein the first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter for allowing an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and for forming a barrier for the beverage preparation product so that, when in use an aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the first sheet of the pad the fluid flows through the first sheet to the beverage preparation product so that the beverage is formed, which beverage then flows through the second sheet and via the at least one outlet opening leaves the pad, wherein the bottom further comprises a central bottom portion comprising the at least one outlet opening, wherein the substantially flat bottom part is formed by an annular bottom portion positioned radially outward of the central bottom portion, wherein the central bottom portion is a bi-stable central bottom portion.
2. Pad according to claim 1, wherein the central bi-stable bottom portion is configured such that before aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the first sheet of the pad, the central bi-stable bottom portion is arranged in an initial stable position and such that after aqueous fluid under pressure has been supplied to the first sheet of the pad, the central bi-stable bottom portion is arranged in a final stable position, wherein in the initial stable position at least part of the central bi-stable bottom portion in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge of the shell than in the final stable position.
3. Pad according to claim 2, wherein in the initial stable position at least part of the central bi-stable bottom portion in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge than the annular bottom portion.
4. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central bottom portion comprises a central disc shaped portion and an annular bistable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion.
5. Pad according to claim 4, wherein the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion is configured such that during supply of aqueous fluid under pressure to the first sheet of the pad, the annular bi-stable hinge is displaced from the initial stable position to a final stable position wherein in the initial stable position of the bi-stable hinge at least part of the central bi-stable bottom portion in an axial direction of the pad is positioned closer to the perimeter edge of the shell than in the final stable position of the bi-stable hinge.
6. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell has a bowl-shaped interior space, and wherein the pad is asymmetrical with respect to a flat plane through the connected perimeter edges of the first sheet and the shell.
7. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one side of the shell forms an outer side of the pad.
8. Pad according to claim 7, wherein one side of the shell is an outside of the pad, and wherein the side of the shell that forms the outer side of the shell is opposite of the bowl-shaped interior space.
9. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell is equipped with a circumventing and in itself closed first bottom part with an outer edge and an inner edge and a dish-shaped second bottom part that connects to the inner edge of the first bottom part, wherein the dish-shaped second bottom part adjacent the first bottom part in a direction oriented away from the outer edge down to the interior space of the pad slopes downwardly to the bottom comprising the central bottom portion comprising the outlet opening.
10. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the interior space of the pad in the bottom of the shell a fluid collecting structure is provided that is in fluid communication with the at least one outlet opening.
11. Pad according to claim 10, wherein the fluid collecting structure in the bottom of the shell is provided with channels, which channels are in fluid communication with the at least one outlet opening, and wherein the second sheet, which is positioned on the bottom of the shell, covers the channels, so that a formed beverage then flows through the second sheet where the channels are located and reaches the at least one outlet opening via the channels.
12. Pad according to claims 4 and 10, wherein said channels are provided in the annular bottom portion and the central disc shaped portion.
13. Pad according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the channels are integrally formed in the bottom of the shell.
14. Pad according to any one of the claims 9 to 13, wherein the first bottom part is substantially flat.
15. Pad according to any one of the claims 9 to 14, wherein the dishshaped second bottom part adjacent the first bottom part in a direction oriented away from the outer edge down to the interior space of the pad slopes downwardly and there connects to the annular bottom portion.
16. Pad according to claims 4 and 15, wherein the central disc shaped portion, the annular bottom portion and the first bottom part extend parallel to each other.
17. Pad according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the second sheet extends over the central disc shaped portion and the annular bottom portion.
18. Pad according to claim 17, wherein the second sheet extends solely over the central disc shaped portion and the annular bottom portion so that the second sheet, the annular bottom portion and the central disc shaped portion are parallel to each other.
19. Pad according to claims 11 and 18, wherein the channels extend only within the contours of the second sheet.
20. Pad according to any one of the claims 9-19, wherein the first sheet is connected to the first bottom part.
21. Pad according to any one of the claims 9-20, wherein the first bottom part is ring-shaped.
22. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substantially rigid shell, the first sheet and the second sheet have a circular shape.
23. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the pad contains 5-10, preferably 6-9 gram of roast and ground coffee.
24. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sheet adjacent its substantially circular in itself closed perimeter edge is connected to the shell.
25. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is made of a flexible material
26. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is made of a non-woven material.
27. Pad according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is manufactured from filtering paper.
28. Pad according to claim 26 or 27, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is made up for at least 70%, preferably for at least 80% and more preferably for at least 90% of cellulose.
29. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell is constructed of a resin, such as a plastic, more particularly of PP, a biodegradable plastic, a bio-based plastic, or cardboard.
30. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substantially flat bottom part of the shell at its outer face is equipped with at least one substantially circular rib closed in itself.
31. Pad according to claims 4 and 30, wherein the annular bi-stable hinge is positioned radially within the at least one substantially circular rib.
32. Pad according to claims 5 and 31, wherein the at least one substantially circular rib has an end face which is positioned in an axial direction of the pad at a larger distance than the central disc shaped portion in its final stable position.
33. Pad according to claim 4 or any one of the claims 5 to 32 when dependent on claim 4, wherein said annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion comprises a central annular hinge ring having a first thickness, a first outer annular hinge ring portion connected to the annular bottom portion and a second inner annular hinge ring portion connected to the central disc shaped portion, said first outer annular hinge ring portion and said second inner annular hinge ring portion each having a thickness which is smaller than the first thickness.
34. Pad according to claim 33, wherein an at least substantially circular upstanding ring is provided on the central annular hinge ring, said at least substantially circular upstanding ring extending within the interior space of the pad.
35. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is flat.
36. Pad according to at least claim 10, wherein the fluid collecting structure comprises a porous disc.
37. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pad comprises only one outlet opening.
38. Pad according to claim 37, wherein the one outlet opening is positioned centrically in the central bottom portion.
39. Pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the central bottom portion at least one hollow tubular stud is provided, said hollow tubular stud extending within the interior space of the pad and comprising a stud channel communicating with the at least one outlet opening.
40. Pad according to claim 39, wherein the at least one hollow tubular stud comprises radial through going apertures opening into the stud channel.
41. System including a machine and a pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine is equipped with a holder for accommodating the pad, a fid for closing the holder and fluid supply means for generating a fluid flow under pressure, wherein the holder is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening and the fid features at least one fluid inlet opening, which is in fluid connection with the fluid supply means for feeding the fluid flow to the fluid inlet openings for feeding the fluid under pressure to the first sheet of the pad and for forcing the fluid through the pad for preparation of the beverage in the pad, wherein the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet and the outlet opening to then exit the holder through the at least one beverage exit opening.
42. System including a machine equipped with a holder comprising at least one beverage exit opening and being arranged for accommodating a standard pad comprising two sheets of filtering paper connected to each other at the circumferential edges thereof and enclosing an interior space containing roast and ground coffee, a lid for closing the holder, and fluid supply means for generating an aqueous fluid flow under pressure, wherein the system further comprises a pad according to any one of the claims 1-40 that in use is accommodated in the holder, wherein the holder is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening and the lid features at least one fluid inlet opening, which is in fluid connection with the fluid supply means for feeding the fluid flow to the fluid inlet openings for feeding the aqueous fluid under pressure to the first sheet of the pad and for forcing the aqueous fluid through the pad for preparation of the beverage in the pad, wherein the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet and the outlet opening to then exit the holder through the at least one beverage exit opening.
43. System according to claim 41 or 42, wherein at least one of a static fluid seal and, in use, a dynamic fluid seal is formed between the pad and the holder.
44. System according to claim 43, wherein a static seal is formed by a contact at a location between an outwardly directed perimeter flange of the pad, which extends outwardly and downwardly, and a confronting outer edge of the holder.
45. System according to claim 44, wherein, in use, a dynamic fluid seal is formed between an outer portion of the pad and the holder at locations positioned at a smaller distance to a center of the pad than the location of the static fluid seal.
46. System according to any one of the claims 43-45, wherein, in use, for a dynamic seal the fluid pressure is used to improve contact between the shell and the holder.
47. System according to any one of the claims 43-46, wherein the holder is equipped with a bowl-shaped interior space bounded by a bottom of the holder and an upstanding side wall of the holder, wherein the bottom of the holder is equipped with a circumventing and in itself closed first bottom part that is adjacent to the side wall of the holder and a dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder that is adjacent to an inner edge of the first bottom part, wherein the dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder adjacent the first bottom part of the holder in a direction oriented away from the side wall of the holder and oriented inwardly of the holder slopes downwardly and wherein the at least one beverage exit opening of the holder is provided in the dish-shaped second bottom part of the holder.
48. System according to claim 47, wherein, in use, the first bottom part of the holder is horizontal.
49. System according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the pad rests on the bottom of the holder, wherein the shell coextends with the bottom to adjacent an upstanding wall of the holder and wherein preferably the bottom of the holder, at least in part, is smooth and is manufactured of a plastic and/or metal.
50. System according to any one of the claims 47-49, wherein the system comprises a pad according to at least claim 9 and wherein the first bottom part of the pad rests on the first bottom part of the holder.
51. System according to any one of the claims 47-50, wherein an outer side of the shell has a shape that corresponds with the shape of an inner side of the holder.
52. System according to any one of the claims 47-51, wherein the dishshaped second bottom part of the holder includes an inner flat bottom part, said inner flat bottom part being provided with a plurality of nipples protruding from the inner flat bottom part, the tips of the nipples forming part of the bottom of the holder on which the pad rests during use, the inner flat bottom part being provided with grooves formed between the nipples, which grooves form a fluid path to the at least one beverage exit opening.
53. System according to claim 52, wherein the system comprises a pad according to at least claim 30 and wherein, in use, the pad and the holder are configured such that the at least one circular rib of the pad extends downwardly from the shell into a recess in the bottom of the holder for centering the pad in the holder, said recess being formed by a space between the nipples.
54. System according to any one of the claims 43-53, wherein the fluid supply means for generating a fluid flow under pressure are arranged for generating an absolute pressure of 1.8-2.2 bar.
55. System according to claim 54, wherein the system comprises a pad according to at least claim 2, wherein the central bi-stable bottom portion is configured such that it is displaced from its initial stable position towards its final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar.
56. System according to claim 55 when dependent on claim 52 or 53, wherein the nipples of the holder and the central bi-stable bottom portion are configured such that when - in use - the central bi-stable bottom portion is displaced from its initial stable position to its final stable position, the central bi-stable bottom portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches its final stable position.
57. System according to claim 56, wherein in the intermediate position the central bi-stable bottom portion exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder.
58. System according to claims 43 and 57, wherein the central bi-stable bottom portion is arranged such that the upward force is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact.
59. System according to claim 54, wherein the system comprises a pad according to at least claim 5, wherein the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion is configured such that the annular bi-stable hinge is displaced from its initial stable position towards its final stable position when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar.
60. System according to claim 59 when dependent on claim 52 or 53, wherein the nipples of the holder and the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion are configured such that when - in use - the annular bi-stable hinge is displaced from the initial stable position to the final stable position, the central disc shaped portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches the final stable position.
61. System according to claim 60, wherein in the intermediate position the central disc shaped portion exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder.
62. System according to claims 43 and 61, wherein the central bottom portion is arranged such that the upward force is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact.
63. System according to any one of the claims 43-62, wherein the holder is substantially made of metal with a smooth surface and the rigid shell is of plastic, and wherein the fluid seal between the shell and the holder is established by a line contact between the smooth metal surface of the holder and the plastic surface of the rigid shell.
64. System according to one of the claims 43-63, wherein the pad is arranged such that, in use when the pad is positioned in the holder, a fluid seal is formed between the pad and the holder to reduce or prevent a flow of the fluid around the pad from a top side of the pad to the at least one beverage exit opening of the holder is at least one of a static seal, which provides a sealing engagement between the pad and the holder under the sole influence of gravity on the pad, and a dynamic seal, which provides a sealing engagement between the pad and the holder under the influence of the pressure of the fluid on top of the pad.
65. Method for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving with a system according to any one of the claims 41-60, wherein the method comprises the step of placing the pad in a holder that is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening, the step of closing the holder containing the pad with the lid with the at least one fluid opening, and the step of supplying a fluid under pressure to the at least one fluid opening so that the fluid via the first sheet is fed to the beverage preparation product in the pad for preparing the beverage and where the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet and the at least one outlet opening, wherein the beverage then leaves the holder via the at least one beverage exit opening.
66. Method according to claim 65, wherein the shell at its underside forms a fluid seal with the holder so that a flow of the fluid from a top side of the pad around the pad to the exit opening of the holder is prevented.
67. Method according to claim 66, wherein the holder is substantially made of metal with a smooth surface and the rigid shell is of plastic, and wherein the fluid seal between the shell and the holder is established by a line contact between the smooth metal surface of the holder and the plastic surface of the rigid shell.
68. Method according to any one of the claims 65-67, wherein the fluid is supplied to the first sheet at an absolute pressure of 1.8-2.2 bar.
69. Method according to claim 68, wherein in the method a system according to at least claim 55 is used, wherein when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar the central bi-stable bottom portion is starting to be displaced from the initial stable position towards its final stable position.
70. Method according to claim 69, wherein in the method a system according to claim 56 is used, wherein the nipples of the holder and the central bi-stable bottom portion are configured such that during displacement of the central bi-stable bottom portion from its initial stable position to its final stable position, the central bi-stable bottom portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches its final stable position.
71. Method according to claim 70, wherein in the intermediate position the central bi-stable bottom portion exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder.
72. Method according to claim 71, wherein in the method a system according to claim 58 is used, wherein the upward force exerted by the central bi-stable bottom portion is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact.
73. Method according to any one of the claims 70-72, wherein when the step of supplying fluid under pressure is stopped and the lid is opened the central bi-stable bottom portion is displaced from its intermediate portion to its final stable portion thereby partly lifting the pad from the holder.
74. Method according to claim 68, wherein in the method a system according to claim 59 is used, wherein when the absolute pressure reaches a value of about 1.5 bar the central disc shaped portion is starting to be displaced from the initial stable position towards its final stable position.
75. Method according to claim 74, wherein in the method a system according to claim 60 is used, wherein the nipples of the holder and the annular bi-stable hinge connecting the central disc shaped portion to the annular bottom portion are configured such that during displacement of the annular bi-stable hinge from its initial stable position towards its final stable position, the central disc shaped portion in an intermediate position contacts the tips of the nipples before it reaches the final stable position.
76. System according to claim 75, wherein in the intermediate position the central disc shaped portion exerts an upward force on the pad relative to the pad holder.
77. System according to claim 76, wherein in the method a system according to claim 62 is used, wherein the upward force exerted by the central bottom portion is of such strength that the dynamic fluid seal remains intact.
78. Method according to any one of the claims 75-77, wherein when the step of supplying fluid under pressure is stopped and the lid is opened the central disc shaped portion is displaced from its intermediate portion to its final stable portion thereby partly lifting the pad from the holder.
79. Method according to any one of the claims 65-78, wherein selectively a pad according to any one of the claims 1-40 is used, wherein the beverage preparation product includes a product including ground coffee extractable with an aqueous fluid, or a standard coffee pad with an interior space that is filled with ground coffee wherein the interior space is formed by a first sheet and a second sheet that adjacent their perimeter edges are connected to each other, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet also form an outer side of the pad and each are manufactured of filtering paper, and wherein the standard coffee pad and the holder are adapted to each other so that the standard coffee pad can be accommodated in the holder for preparing coffee, such that in use the fluid under pressure is fed to the top of the pad and is pressed through the pad so that the fluid which flows through the first sheet forms a coffee extract in the pad that then leaves the pad through the second sheet and wherein the coffee extract then leaves the holder via the grooves of the holder flowing to the beverage exit opening of the holder and exits the holder via the beverage exit opening of the holder.
80. Method according to any one of the claims 65-79, wherein the method comprises the step of preparing one single serving of a beverage with a primary and a secondary pad, one of the primary and secondary pads is a pad according to any one of the previous claims 1-40 and the other of the primary and secondary pads is a standard pad comprising two sheets of filtering paper connected to each other at the circumferential edges thereof and enclosing an interior space containing a soluble product, wherein (i) the primary pad is placed in the holder that is equipped with at least one beverage exit opening, the holder containing the primary pad is closed with the hd that has at least one fluid opening, and an aqueous fluid under pressure is supplied to the at least one fluid opening so that the aqueous fluid via the first sheet is fed to the beverage preparation product in the pad for preparing the beverage and where the beverage leaves the pad via the second sheet, and then leaves the holder via the at least one beverage exit opening; and (ii) repeating step (i) for the secondary pad.
81. Method according to claim 80, wherein the primary pad is the standard pad and the secondary pad is the pad according to any one of the claims 1-40.