US20080148958A1 - Pad and Assembly of a Holder and Such a Pad - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

• The invention relates to a pad filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or, optionally, a product to be dissolved such as a creamer for preparing a beverage, wherein the pad is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the pad for extracting and/or dissolving the product, the pad being provided with an optionally flexible bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and an optionally flexible top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges so that that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet and the top sheet each forming a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water.
• The invention also relates to an assembly of a pad and a holder in which the pad is included, wherein the pad is filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or, optionally, a product to be dissolved such as a creamer, while the pad is provided with a bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and a top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges in order that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed, with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet and the top sheet each forming a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water, and wherein the holder is provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding sidewall, while in the bottom at least one outflow opening is provided, the pad resting on the bottom while the assembly is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the assembly for extracting the pad.
• Such a pad and such an assembly are known per se, for instance from the European patent application EP 0 904 717. The known assembly comprises a pad which is filled with a product to be extracted for obtaining an extract and affords possibilities for reducing the risk of bypass and increasing the coffee-making efficiency. Bypass is understood to mean that a liquid such as hot water is fed under pressure to the assembly, of which hot water then at least a part flows around the product in the pad to, thereupon, leave the holder of the assembly via the at least one outflow opening. Such bypass has as a result that, when the pad has for instance been filled with a product to be extracted, the extract which is for instance collected in a cup, is mixed with hot water. This gives the extract an undesired strength. It is not desired to make allowance for such bypass because it is not known beforehand what amount of water will flow to the cup without this being pressed through the bed of the product in the pad. Further, the water has the tendency to choose the path of least resistance, i.e., the water has the tendency to flow through specifically those places of the bed where the bed is relatively thin. This entails that the water flows relatively less through the thicker parts of the bed, resulting in the coffee-making efficiency not being optimal. For this phenomenon too, a solution is given in the European patent application EP 0 904 717.
• An unfavourable property of certain embodiments of the known assembly is that the pressure in the holder can rise when the outflow opening becomes clogged. The pressure rises because the beverage cannot leave the holder while hot water is fed under pressure to a top side of the holder.
• The invention contemplates providing a pad allowing, if desired, for an assembly which provides a solution to the drawback mentioned with respect to the rising pressure. The invention also contemplates providing a pad which enables other problems to be solved and/or advantages to be provided as will be further described hereinafter.
• The pad according to the invention is accordingly characterized in that one area of the covering is designed to be at least virtually impermeable to water, wherein:—the area comprises at least one annular sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam extending around the sealing seam, which area further extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions;—and/or the area comprises a plurality of sub-areas separate from each other; and/or the area comprises at least one sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam and a part of the covering outside the sealing seam. Such a pad can be advantageously used in a holder which is provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding sidewall while in the bottom at least one outflow opening has been provided, the pad resting on the bottom while in the bottom of the holder at least one pressure limit opening is provided. Here, the area of the covering covers the at least one pressure limit opening. If, in use, the holder is closed off with the aid of a lid, whereupon hot water is fed to the holder while moreover, for whatever reason, the outflow opening is clogged, the pressure in the inside space of the holder will not rise to extreme heights because with a rising pressure, hot water and/or the beverage will be discharged via the at least one pressure limit opening. Here, the pressure limit opening and the pad function in combination as a safety valve, which will open when the pressure in the inside space will start to rise as a result of the outflow opening being clogged. Here, the pressure limit opening is covered by the area of the covering which is impermeable to water. If the outflow opening is clogged, the pressure in the holder will rise while the pressure drop across the pad will become very small. The pad is no longer pressed firmly against the bottom. As a result of the rising pressure, the water having been pressed through the pad then flows under the area to the pressure limit opening. The pressure limit opening will start discharging hot water and/or, optionally, the beverage when, for instance, the pressure in the inside space rises to a value above 2 atmosphere. The pressure will then increase no further. Here, for instance each of the sub-areas mentioned can cover a pressure limit opening. Also, as an alternative or in addition thereto, at the predetermined positions, the area, optionally together with the annular sub-area, can cover a pressure limit opening. Also, as an alternative, or in addition thereto, the annular sub-area itself can cover a pressure limit opening. The annular sub-area may further, alternatively or in addition thereto, have the function of reducing bypass and improving the coffee-making efficiency as will be further set forth hereinbelow.
• The invention therefore contemplates providing a pad which, at wish, gives an alternative solution to the problem of bypass. The invention further also contemplates providing a pad which, at wish, gives an alternative solution to improving the coffee-making efficiency.
• If the area comprises the annular sub-area which occupies at least a part of the sealing seam, the bypass effect, if this should occur, will be reduced. As the area also extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions, at wish, additional advantages can be achieved.
• Preferably, it holds that the annular sub-area comprises, at the bottom sheet, an annular bottom sheet sub-area which extends inside (i.e. along) and outside the sealing seam. The bed of the product is often relatively thin at positions just outside the sealing seam. Here, the bed has a relatively low flow resistance to water flowing through the bed. This entails that the water tends to flow, to a relatively large extent, through this part of the bed. As a result, the efficiency will not be optimal. As the area comprises an annular bottom sheet sub-area which also extends outside the sealing seam, the efficiency of the pad can be improved.
• It is also possible that at the annular sub-area comprises, at the bottom sheet, an annular bottom sheet sub-area which extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam, while the area at the bottom sheet further comprises parts forming bulges at an inside edge of the bottom sheet sub-area outside the sealing seam. Here, the annular bottom sheet sub-area can reduce the bypass problem while, for instance, each bulge, optionally together with the annular bottom sheet sub-area, can cover the pressure limit opening.
• In particular, it further holds that the bottom sheet comprises an annular bottom sheet part of which first ring segments form part of the area of the covering and of which second ring segments do not form part of the area of the covering, the first and second ring segments together forming the annular bottom sheet part, while the annular bottom sheet part extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam.
• In particular, it further holds here that the top sheet comprises an annular top sheet part of which first ring segments form part the area of the top sheet and second ring segments do not form part of the area of the top sheet, the first and second ring segments of the annular top sheet part together forming the annular top sheet part, while the annular top sheet part extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam. All this can be provided such that the first ring segments of the top sheet and the first ring segments of the bottom sheet, in combination, form the annular sub-area which occupies at least a part of the sealing seam.
• In particular it holds that at the area at the bottom sheet comprises a first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area that extends along at least a part of a diameter of the bottom sheet. The first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area allows use of the pad in a holder with two separate discharge paths for the preparation of, for instance, two cups of the beverage. The holder may be provided with an inside space bound by a bottom and an upstanding sidewall. This inside space can be subdivided into two sub-spaces by means of a partition wall. On this partition wall, the first strip-shaped bottom sheet may rest. Each sub-space of the holder can be provided with at least one outflow opening. When, thus, hot water is fed to a top side of the holder, this hot water will be pressed through the pad. The beverage formed will then leave the pad and will divide itself, for the most part equally, over both sub-spaces.
• The assembly according to the invention is characterized in that in the bottom, further, at least one pressure limit opening is provided while the bottom sheet of the pad is provided with at least one area which is impermeable to water and which covers the at least one pressure limit opening.
• If, in use, the holder is closed off with the aid of a lid, whereupon hot water is fed to the holder while, moreover, for whatever reason, the outflow opening is clogged, the pressure in the inside space of the holder will not rise to extreme heights because, with a rising pressure, hot water will be discharged to a surrounding outside the holder via the at least one pressure limit opening. Here, the pressure limit opening and the pad function in combination as a safety valve which will open when the pressure in the inside space will start to rise as a result of the outflow opening being clogged. Here, the pressure limit opening is covered by the area of the covering which is impermeable to water. If the outflow opening is clogged, the pressure in the holder will increase, while the pressure drop across the pad will then become very small. The pad is no longer firmly pressed against the bottom. The water that has been pressed through the pad then flows under the area to the pressure limit opening as a result of the increasing pressure. Then, the pressure limit opening will start discharging hot water when, for instance, the pressure in the inner space increases to a value above three atmosphere. The pressure will then rise no further. In particular, it further holds that the pad is provided with a plurality of indentations located at an outside edge of the sealing seam. In that case, with the assembly, the bottom of the holder is provided, preferably, with projections reaching into the indentations. In this manner, the pad can be positioned accurately at a desired, predetermined position in the holder such, for instance, that the area of the covering covers the at least one pressure limit opening. This accurate positioning is, for instance, particularly important when the pad is provided with the indentations for covering the pressure limit opening.
• It is also possible that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of openings which extend from a top side of the pad to a bottom side of the pad. Preferably, the openings are located in the area of the covering. With this variant too, it holds for the assembly that it is preferred that the bottom of the holder be provided with projections reaching into the openings. For this variant too, it holds that thus, the pad can be accurately positioned at a predetermined position within the holder, the arrangement being such that when, for instance, the holder is provided with the at least one pressure limit opening, this pressure limit opening is covered by the area of the covering.
• Preferably, it further holds that a through-flow surface of the at least one pressure limit opening is greater than a through-flow surface of the at least one outflow opening. In this manner, when the pressure in the holder starts rising as a result of a clogging of the outflow opening, the pressure can be reduced rapidly when the pressure limit opening opens. The fact is that the through-flow opening has a relatively great through-flow surface.
• The invention will presently be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:
• FIG. 1 shows a side view of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 2ashows a bottom view of a first embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 2bshows a top plan view of the pad according toFIG. 2a;
• FIG. 3ashows a bottom view of a second embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 3bshows a top plan view of the pad according toFIG. 3a;
• FIG. 4ashows a bottom view of a third embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 4bshows a top plan view of the pad according toFIG. 4a;
• FIG. 4cshows a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 4dshows a top plan view of the pad according toFIG. 4c;
• FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a fifth embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 6ashows a cross-section of a holder for including a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 6bshows a top plan view of the holder ofFIG. 6a;
• FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising a holder according toFIGS. 6aand6band a pad according to the invention, which is included in the holder;
• FIG. 8ashows a cross-section of a second alternative embodiment of an assembly according to the invention,
• FIG. 8bshows a top plan view of the holder according toFIG. 8a;
• FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of a sixth embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 10ashows a cross section of a third embodiment of an assembly comprising a holder an a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 10bshows a top plan view of the holder ofFIG. 10a;
• FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of a seventh embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of a holder in which the pad according toFIG. 11 can be included;
• FIG. 13 shows a side view of an eighth embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising two pads according to the invention and a holder in which the two pads have been included;
• FIG. 15ashows a bottom view of a ninth embodiment of a pad according to the invention;
• FIG. 15bshows a bottom view of a tenth embodiment of a pad according to the invention; and
• FIG. 15cshows a bottom view of an eleventh embodiment of a pad according to the invention.
• InFIG. 1,reference numeral1 indicates a pad. In this example, the pad is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the pad for the purpose of being pressed through the pad. Thepad1 is filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or a product to be dissolved such as a creamer. The product can be extracted with a liquid such as, for instance, water or be dissolved in water. However, the invention does not preclude other liquids than water to be fed under pressure to the pad for extracting or dissolving the product. For instance, also milk can be fed for extracting the product such as, for instance, ground coffee. Milk can also be fed for dissolving the product (such as for instance cocoa). The fact that the cocoa may not completely dissolve falls within the framework of this invention.
• The product is indicated withreference numeral2. The pad is provided with a preferablyflexible bottom sheet4 and a preferably flexibletop sheet6. The top sheet and the bottom sheet are interconnected at their longitudinal edges in a manner known per se so that acovering4,6 with acircumferential sealing seam8 is formed. Theproduct2 is situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet in the covering formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet. Both the top sheet and the bottom sheet each form a filter which is, at least virtually, impermeable to the product and which is, as explained hereinabove, at least permeable to water.
• An area10 (represented in hatching) of thecovering4,6 is designed to be at least virtually impermeable to water. This area comprises anannular sub-area12 which occupies at least a part of thesealing seam8 and which area further extends outside thesealing seam8 at predetermined positions.
• A possible example of such anarea10 is discussed hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 2aandFIG. 2b.FIG. 2ashows a bottom view of thebottom sheet4 of the pad ofFIG. 1. For clarity's sake it is noted that thesealing seam8 in this example has a width d2. In this example, thearea10 extends in any case at thebottom sheet4. Theannular sub-area12 of thearea10 comprises at the bottom sheet an annular bottom sheet sub-area14 having a width d1. Thesealing seam8 has a width d2 which is smaller than the diameter d1. In this example, the annularbottom sheet sub-area14 occupies theentire sealing seam8 and extends over a distance d1 minus d2 along thebottom sheet4 onpositions15 of thebottom sheet4 located outside thesealing seam8. Hence, theannular sub-area12 extends outside thesealing seam8 atpredetermined positions15 and occupies at least a part of thesealing seam8. This part of the sealing seam extends around the sealing seam and is, consequently, also annular. In this example, this part forms the entire sealing seam. This entails that besides thesealing seam8, also a part of the bottom sheet adjacent theproduct2 is designed to be impermeable to water. Here, it may be so that thearea10 does not extend over thetop sheet6. Therefore, thearea10 comprises anannular sub-area12, occupying at least one part of the, and in this example the entire, sealing seam. Further, thearea10 extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions. In this example, thesepositions15 are defined by the part of theannular sub-area12 which extends outside the sealing seam.
• In this example, it holds that thetop sheet6 is designed to be at least virtually flat. It further holds that thebottom sheet4 is of cup-shaped design, as is clearly visible inFIG. 1.
• The pad according toFIG. 2acan for instance be included in a holder as shown inFIG. 6a. Theholder16 is provided with a bottom18 and anupstanding sidewall20. Theholder16 can for instance be designed as described in the European patent application EP 0 904 717. In the bottom18, at least oneoutflow opening22 is provided. In this example, the bottom18 is composed of a horizontal, annularoutside bottom part24 and a dish-shaped insidebottom part26. The insidebottom part26 borders on aninside edge28 of theoutside bottom part24 while the inside bottom part adjacent the outside bottom part extends downwards in a direction away from aside30 of the holder. In the bottom,grooves32 are provided, formed betweenprojections34, the grooves extending from a position at a distance from the sidewall in a direction away from the sidewall.
• In use, the pad according toFIG. 2ais placed in the holder, as shown inFIG. 7. In this example, the pad reaches adjacent the upstanding sidewall. The holder with thepad1 included therein is closed off by alid36. Thelid36 is provided at its inside with a plurality of hotwater outlet openings38. The lid is further provided with awater inlet40 which is in fluid communication with thewater outlet openings38. In use, hot water is fed under pressure to thewater inlet40. The pressure may for instance be 0.7 bar. This hot water flows via theoutlet openings38 into theinside space17 of the holder. The water is thus fed under pressure to a top side of thepad1. As the pad is provided with the bottom sheet sub-area14 which is non-transmissive to water, water cannot leave the pad at these positions. In anannular part15 of thebottom sheet sub-area14, having a diameter d1-d2, and located just outside thesealing seam8, the height h (seeFIG. 1) of theproduct2, in this example the coffee bed, is relatively small. Here, the water that is pressed through the pad therefore experiences a relatively small flow resistance from the coffee. The result would be that relatively much water is pressed through this part of the coffee bed while this is the very part of the coffee bed that comprises the least coffee. As a result, the coffee-making efficiency would decrease. Since, however, it holds that the bottom sheet sub-area14 also renders theannular area15 of the bottom sheet non-transmissive to water, the water cannot leave the pad at these positions, and a relatively large amount of water is prevented from passing through the relatively thin part of the coffee bed. The coffee-making efficiency of the pad according toFIG. 2ais improved. It is also precluded that the water is pressed through thesealing seam8 because in this example, thesealing seam8 itself is also impermeable to water. The fact is that theannular sub-area12 comprises, at the bottom sheet, the annular bottom sheet sub-area14 occupying theentire sealing seam8. As a result thereof, the risk of bypass is reduced. Bypass is understood to mean that water, fed to a top side of the pad, flows around the coffee bed to theoutflow opening22 of the holder.
• In this example, water is also prevented from flowing around the pad to theoutflow opening22, since the pad, at the locations where, as a result of a pressure drop across the pad, it is pressed onto the bottom, it forms a seal to water. Hence, in the present example, thebottom sheet sub-area14 provides an additional guarantee against the risk of bypass and an extra guarantee for the improvement of the coffee-making efficiency.
• In the example of the assembly ofFIG. 7, in the bottom, further, a number ofpressure limit openings42 are provided, providing a fluid communication between theinside space17 and thesurroundings44 of the holder. Thepressure limit openings42 are each located partly in theoutside bottom part24 and partly in the insidebottom part26. Hence, they are located on theinside edge28. It further holds that each of thepressure limit openings42 is covered by thearea10 of thebottom sheet4, in this example by the annularbottom sheet sub-area14. All this entails the following advantage. If in the assembly ofFIG. 7 theoutflow opening22 becomes clogged, when the water is fed to thewater inlet40 of the lid, the pressure in theinside space17 of the holder will start rising rapidly when the coffee extract, which is pressed through thepad1, cannot leave theinside space17 via theoutflow opening22. Further, the pressure drop across the pad will decrease so that the pad is no longer pressed against the bottom in an effective manner. It proves to be such that, with an increasing pressure of the liquid (coffee extract and/or water) in theinside space17, thebottom sheet14 no longer closes off thepressure limit openings42 so that the liquid can leave theinside space17 via the pressure limit openings. As a result, a safety measure is built in, in order that the pressure in theinside space17 cannot rise too much. In normal operation, when theoutflow opening22 is not blocked, as a result of the pressure drop across the pad, the bottom sheet and hence the part of thebottom sheet4 which is non-transmissive to water will be pressed against the bottom. As a result, the part of the bottom sheet which is non-transmissive to water will close off the pressure limit openings so that in that case, the coffee extract leaves the holder only via theoutflow opening22. In particular, it will hold that here, theoutflow opening22 is designed as, for instance, a nozzle. It holds in this example that the size of the through-flow surface of theoutflow opening22 is smaller than the size of the through-flow surface of each of thepressure limit openings42. If the holder were provided with a plurality ofoutflow openings22, it holds that for instance the sum of the through-flow surfaces of theoutflow openings22 is smaller than the sum of the through-flow surfaces of thepressure limit openings42.
• Thepressure limit openings42 can also each be provided entirely in the inside bottom part or in the outside bottom part of the holder. For the cooperation between pad and holder as regards the pressure limit openings, it is further not required that thearea10 comprises theannular sub-area12. At the bottom sheet, thearea10 needs only be present those specific positions for the pressure limit openings to be closed off. To this end, thearea10 may consequently be provided with a plurality of sub-areas, separate from each other, with each sub-area closing off one of the pressure openings, or wherein in any case a combination of the sub-areas closes off the pressure limit openings.FIG. 15ashows a bottom side of a pad with such sub-areas11, with each sub-area closing off a pressure limit area when the pad in this example is placed in the holder ofFIG. 7. Thereto, each sub-area can have a size that is greater than the pressure limit opening which is closed off by the respective sub-area. Again, a side view of the pad according toFIG. 15 is shown inFIG. 1. With the variant according toFIG. 15a, it also holds that the area comprises at least one (in this example four) sub-area(s) occupying at least a part of the sealing seam and a part of the covering outside the sealing seam.
• If thepressure limit openings47 lie completely in the insidebottom part26, the sub-areas11 can extend entirely along thebottom sheet4 outside the sealing seam8 (FIG. 15b). If the pressure limit openings lie completely in theoutside bottom part24, the sub-areas11 can extend entirely along (within) the sealing seam of the bottom sheet4 (FIG. 15c).
• It is preferred that the surface of the sub-area11 be greater than the surface of a pressure limit opening which is covered by therespective sub-area11. Each length of a diameter of a sub-area is for instance 50-150% greater than a corresponding diameter of a pressure limit opening.
• With the pad according toFIGS. 1 and 2a/2bit further holds that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality ofindentations46 located at an outside edge of the sealing seam. The indentations are situated in thearea10 of thebottom sheet4. In this example, thearea10 of the bottom sheet as discussed hereinabove is formed by thebottom sheet sub-area14. As can be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, it holds in this example that the bottom of the holder is provided withprojections47 reaching, in use, into theindentations46. In this manner the pad can be accurately positioned in a desired position in the holder. Such indentations can be used entirely analogously with the pad according toFIG. 15.
• Instead of havingindentations46, or in combination withindentations46, the pad according toFIGS. 2a,2bor according toFIG. 15 can also be provided with a plurality of fixingopenings48 extending from a top side of the pad to a bottom side of the pad. The fixingopenings48 are situated in thesealing seam8. In this example, with the pad according toFIGS. 2a/2b, it further holds that the fixing openings are situated in thearea10 of the bottom sheet, i.e. in thebottom sheet sub-area14.
• With a pad having fixing openings, use can be made of a holder as shown inFIG. 8 andFIG. 8b. The holder ofFIG. 8 corresponds to a large extent to the holder according toFIGS. 6 and 7 with this distinction that the holder according toFIG. 8 is not provided withprojections47 but, instead thereof, is provided withprojections50 extending, in use, through the fixingopenings48 of the pad. Theprojections50 are projections of the bottom18 of the holder. More in particular, theprojections50 are been provided at theoutside bottom part24. In particular it further holds that theprojections50 have a diameter which is somewhat greater than de diameter of the fixingopenings48 so that theprojections50 can reach into the fixingopenings48 in a more or less clamping manner. In this manner too, it is guaranteed that the pad is positioned in the holder at a desired position before the holder is closed off with the aid of thelid36 for the preparation of, in this example, coffee, as is discussed with reference toFIG. 7. With the pad according toFIG. 15, the fixingopening48 also ensure that when the projections reach into the fixing openings, the pad is positioned in the holder according toFIGS. 8a/8bsuch that the sub-areas11 cover thepressure limit openings42. The fixing openings of the pad ofFIG. 15 can cooperate with the projections of the holder according toFIGS. 8a,8b. It will be clear that the fixing openings of the pad ofFIG. 15 have to be arranged rotated through 45 degrees in the plane of the drawing relative to the pad so that they are located at the sub-areas11 in order that the pad can also be used in the holder according toFIGS. 6aand6b
• As stated, thetop sheet6 of the pad according toFIG. 2acan be designed so as to be of, merely, filtering paper, with thearea10 not extending as far as the top sheet. However, as shown inFIG. 2b, it is also possible that theannular sub-area12 comprises an annular top sheet sub-area14′ having a similar diameter d1 as discussed in relation toFIG. 2a. It therefore holds here that the annular top sheet sub-area14′ also occupies theentire sealing seam8. Furthermore, the annular top sheet sub-area reaches outside the sealing seam, more particularly so over a distance d1-d2 as can be seen inFIG. 2b.
• If the top sheet is designed as discussed with reference toFIG. 2b, the bottom sheet sub-area14 can, if desired, be omitted. Here, use can be made of a holder as shown inFIG. 6a.
• As shown inFIG. 3a, it may also be such that the annularbottom sheet sub-area14 occupies only a part of thesealing seam8. In the example ofFIG. 3a, the annularbottom sheet sub-area14 occupies a firstannular seam part52 of thesealing seam8. Thesealing seam8 comprises a secondannular seam part54 which embraces the firstannular seam part52 and does not form part of thearea10 of thebottom sheet6 which is at least virtually water impermeable. For the pad according toFIG. 3ait holds that this too can be provided withindentations46 and/or fixingopenings48 as discussed in relation toFIG. 2a. Preferably, the fixingopenings48 extend in the firstannular seam part52. Thearea10 may, again, not extend over thetop sheet6 as discussed in relation toFIG. 2a. However, it is also possible that thearea10 comprises, at thetop sheet6, an annular top sheet sub-area14′ reaching outside thesealing seam8. Here, it holds in particular that the annular top sheet sub-area14′ covers a part of thesealing seam8. The annular top sheet sub-area14′ then occupies, for instance, a fifthannular seam part52′ of thesealing seam8. The sealing seam further comprises a sixthannular seam part54′ which does not form part of thearea10 of the top sheet which is at least virtually impermeable to water. The sixth annular seam part embraces the fifth annular seam part.
• Naturally, the pad ofFIG. 1 can also be provided with the bottom sheet according toFIG. 2aand the top sheet according toFIG. 3b. It is also possible that the pad ofFIG. 1 is provided with the bottom sheet according toFIG. 3aand the top sheet according toFIG. 2b. Such variants are all possible. In the example ofFIG. 3a, the fixing opening is provided in the firstannular seam part52. However, this is not necessary. They could also have been provided in the secondannular seam part54.
• The pad ofFIG. 1 could also be provided with a bottom sheet according toFIG. 4aand a top sheet as shown inFIG. 4b.
• The bottom sheet ofFIG. 4acomprises an annualbottom sheet part60, of whichfirst ring segments62 form part of thearea10 of the covering, and of whichsecond ring segments64 do not form part of thearea10 of the covering. The first andsecond ring segments62,64 together form the annualbottom sheet part60. As can be seen inFIG. 4a, onesegment62 of thefirst segments62 borders on both sides onsegments64 of thesecond segments64. The annularbottom sheet part60 occupies at least a part of thesealing seam8. In this example, the annular bottom sheet part occupies theentire sealing seam8. Furthermore, it holds that the annularbottom sheet part60 extends inside and outside thesealing seam8. This appears from the fact that the annular bottom sheet part has a width which is equal to d1 while the sealing seam has a width which is equal to d2, with d2 being smaller than d1 (seeFIG. 4a).
• Thetop sheet6 of the pad according toFIG. 4acan be designed as shown inFIG. 4b. Thetop sheet6 comprises an annulartop sheet part60′. The annulartop sheet part60′ comprisesfirst ring segments62′, forming part of thearea10 of thetop sheet6, andsecond ring segments64′ not forming part of thearea10 of the top sheet. The first andsecond ring segments62′,64′ together form the annualtop sheet part60′. The annulartop sheet part60′ extends along thesealing seam8 and occupies at least a part of thesealing seam8. Further, entirely analogously to what is described with reference toFIG. 4a, it holds that onesegment62′ of thefirst segments62′ of the annulartop sheet part60′ borders, on both sides, onsegments64′ of thesecond segments64′ of the annulartop sheet part60′. In this example, the annulartop sheet part60′ occupies theentire sealing seam8. It further holds that the annular top sheet part extends both inside and outside the sealing seam. This can, again, be understood now that the thickness d1 of the sealing seam is smaller than the thickness d2 of thetop sheet part60′.
• The top sheet and the bottom sheet are interconnected such that thesegments64 lie opposite thesegments62′ while thesegments62 lie opposite thesegments64′. Thesegments62 and62′ then provide, in combination, theannual sub-area12 of the covering which occupies at least a part of the, and in this example the entire, sealing seam and which area further extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions.
• The pad according toFIGS. 4aand4bhas a side view as shown inFIG. 1 and can, again, be provided withindentations46 and/or fixingopenings48 as discussed hereinabove.
• With all this being analogous to what is discussed with reference toFIGS. 3aand3b, as shown inFIG. 4c, the annularbottom sheet part60 can occupy only a part of thesealing seam8. Here, the annularbottom sheet part60 occupies, for instance, a thirdannular seam part66 of thesealing seam8. Thesealing seam8 further comprises a fourthannular seam part68 embracing a thirdannular seam part66 and not forming part of thearea10 of the bottom sheet which is at least virtually impermeable to water. Thetop sheet6 can be built up entirely analogously to what is discussed with reference toFIG. 4c. For thetop sheet6 ofFIG. 4dit holds that the annulartop sheet part60′ occupies a part of thesealing seam8. The annular top sheet part occupies a seventhannular seam part66′ of thesealing seam8. The sealing seam further comprises an eighthannular seam part68′ which embraces the seventh annular seam part and does not form part of the area of the top sheet which is least virtually impermeable to water. For the pad according toFIGS. 4cand4dtoo, it holds that thesegments64 and62′ lie opposite each other and that thesegments62 and64′ lie opposite each other in order to thus form a pad of which a side view corresponds to that shown inFIG. 1. Here, too, it holds that thesegments62 and62′, in combination, form theannular sub-area12 of the covering, having the property that this annular sub-area occupies at least a part of the sealing seam, while, moreover, this annular sub-area provides that, further, thearea10 extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions. The pad according toFIGS. 4cand4dtoo can be provided with indentations and/or fixing openings as discussed hereinabove.
• InFIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of abottom sheet4 of thepad1 ofFIG. 1 is shown. Theannular sub-area12 comprises at the bottom sheet an annular bottom sheet sub-area70 which extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam. In this example, the annularbottom sheet sub-area70 occupies theentire sealing seam8 and, as to this, is comparable to the annular bottom sheet sub-area14 ofFIG. 2a. InFIG. 2a, the annular bottom sheet sub-area14 also had the property that it reached outside thesealing seam8. This is not the case with the variant according toFIG. 5. Instead thereof, thearea10 further comprises, at the bottom sheet,parts forming bulges72 at aninside edge74 of the bottom sheet sub-area70 outside the sealing seam. Thebulges72 are therefore the earlier mentioned parts of thearea10 extending outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions. Here, it holds therefore that the width d1 of the annularbottom sheet sub-area70 is equal to the width d2 of thesealing seam70.
• The top sheet of the pad ofFIG. 5 can comprise anarea10 similar to thebottom sheet4 ofFIG. 5. A top plan view of such a sheet will therefore be identical to the bottom view of thebottom sheet4.
• In this example, the pad according toFIG. 5 can, again, be provided with fixingopenings48 and/orindentations46. If such a pad is placed in the holder according toFIG. 6bsuch that theprojections50 fall into the fixingopenings48 and/or such that theprojections47 fall into theindentations46, theannual sub-area70 of the bottom sheet and thebulges72 of the bottom sheet ensure that thepressure limit openings42 are covered. During normal use, thepressure limit openings42 are therefore closed off by areas of the covering which are impermeable to water. In use therefore, the water will be pressed through thepad1 whereupon the coffee extract can leave the pad via theoutflow opening22. Only when the pressure in the inside space of the holder starts to rise to an extreme degree, if, for instance, theoutflow opening22 is clogged, the liquid will leave the inside space via thepressure limit openings42 as discussed hereinabove. If the pad were placed in the holder such that theprojections50 do not fall into the fixingopenings48, the possibility exists that the bulges do not (partly) close off thepressure limit openings42. The fixing openings prevent this problem. The fixing openings of the pad ofFIG. 5 can cooperate with the projections of the holder according toFIGS. 6a,6b. It will be clear that the fixing openings of the pad ofFIG. 5 must be arranged rotated through 45° in the plane of the drawing relative to the pad so that they are situated at the bulge7 in order that the pad can also be used with the holder according toFIGS. 8aand8b.
• InFIG. 9, again, an alternative embodiment of the pad according toFIG. 1 is shown, whileFIG. 9, again, shows a bottom view of thebottom sheet4. Here too, it holds that anarea10 of the covering is designed to be at least virtually impermeable to water while the area comprises at least one annular sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam. In this example, the annular sub-area comprises at the bottom sheet an angular bottom sheet sub-area14 coinciding with thesealing seam8. Further, thearea10 extends outside thesealing seam8 atpredetermined positions76. If, as inFIG. 2a, these predetermined positions were defined by thoseparts15 of the annular bottom sheet sub-area extending outside the sealing seam, inFIG. 9, these parts orpositions76 are defined by a first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area78 which extends at least along a part of thediameter80 of thebottom sheet4. The ends82 of the first strip-shapedbottom sheet sub-area78 are located in or, in this example, are adjacent to a part of the sealing seam. The pad comprising the bottom sheet ofFIG. 9 can, again, have a side view as shown inFIG. 1. The top sheet can, again, have any embodiment as discussed hereinabove. The top sheet may also have a top plan view as discussed with reference to the bottom view ofFIG. 9.
• The pad comprising the bottom sheet ofFIG. 9 can, again, be provided withindentations46 and/or fixing openings. The pad ofFIG. 9 can, for instance, be utilized in apad holder84 as shown inFIG. 10a.FIG. 10bshows a top plan view of thepad holder84. InFIG. 10a, in addition to a cross-section of thepad holder84, it is also shown how the pad according toFIG. 9 is included in theholder84, while theprojections50 of the holder reach into the fixingopenings48. Theholder84 is provided with a bottom18 and anupstanding sidewall20 which, in combination, bound aninner space17 of the holder. Once more, the bottom is composed of anoutside bottom part24 and an insidebottom part26. In the bottom, afirst outlet opening22 and a second outlet opening22′ are provided. Between theoutlet openings22 and22′, the holder is provided with an upstanding edge (partition wall)86 while atop side88 of the upstanding edge is lower than theoutside bottom part24. If the pad ofFIG. 1, which is provided with the bottom sheet ofFIG. 9, is placed into theholder84, the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area of78 will come to rest on top of theupstanding edge86. Thereupon, the assembly of pad and holder is closed off with the aid of alid36 as described hereinabove. It is further noted that theupstanding edge86 in fact subdivides theinside space17 of theholder84 in aninner space19 and19′, while theinside space19 is provided with theoutflow opening22 and theinner space19′ is provided with theoutflow opening22′.
• When, hereupon, hot water is fed under pressure to thewater inlet40, the water will be pressed via the upper sheet through the coffee bed. The thus formed coffee extract will be supplied in at least virtually equal parts to theoutflow opening22 and theoutflow opening22′, respectively. Here, the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area76 forms a seal with theupstanding edge86, thereby contributing to the coffee extract being equally divided over bothoutflow openings22 and22′. In the holder ofFIG. 10a, theupstanding edge86 can also be omitted. In that case, too, the strip-shapedbottom sheet sub-area78 will contribute to the coffee extract being equally divided over both outflow opening is22 and22′.
• InFIG. 11, an alternative embodiment of abottom sheet4 of the pad according toFIG. 1 is shown. Here, parts corresponding withFIG. 9 are provided with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the bottom sheet according toFIG. 11 is provided with a second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area78′ belonging to thearea10, extending along at least a part of thediameter80′ of thebottom sheet4. Again, it holds that the ends82′ of the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area extend into or border on a part of thesealing seam8. It further holds that the first strip-shapedbottom sheet sub-area78 and a second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area78′ include an angle different from zero which, in this example, is at least virtually equal to 90°. It therefore holds that in this example, a first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area and the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area intersect. The pad ofFIG. 11 can be used in a holder, a top plan view of which is shown inFIG. 12. The holder ofFIG. 12 corresponds, broadly, to the holder according toFIG. 10a. However, it holds that the holder according toFIG. 12 is provided with a firstupstanding edge86 and a secondupstanding edge86′. The first and secondupstanding edges68,68′ include an angle which corresponds to the angle which is included by the first strip-shapedbottom sheet sub-area78 and the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area78′. In this manner, theinside space76 of the holder is subdivided into four insidespaces19,19′,19″ and19′″. In the bottom, per sub-space19-19′″, one outflow opening22-22′″ is provided. If the pad ofFIG. 11 is placed in the holder ofFIG. 12, with theprojections50 again reaching into fixingopening48, the first strip-shapedbottom sheet sub-area78 will rest on top of theupstanding edge86 while the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area78′ will rest on theupstanding edge86′. The holder ofFIG. 12 is filled with the pad according toFIG. 11 and is closed off with a lid as shown inFIG. 10ain order that the coffee extract that is formed is distributed equally over the outflow openings22-22′″. The operation hereof is entirely analogous to that as discussed in relation toFIG. 10. In the holder ofFIG. 12, theupstanding edges86,86′ can also be omitted. In that case, too, the strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-areas78,78′ contribute to the coffee extract being distributed equally over the four outflow openings.
• In each of the embodiments outlined hereinabove, it holds that thetop sheet6 is of flat design. In each of the embodiments outlined hereinabove, the bottom sheet is of cup-shaped design. However, it is also possible that the pad is designed to be at least virtually mirror symmetrical relative to a flat plane V through the sealing seam. A side view of such a pad is shown inFIG. 13.
• In this example, the pads described hereinabove are filled with approximately 7 g of ground coffee. Then, such a pad is suitable for preparing approximately one consumption of coffee, that is to say 1 cup of coffee. With the embodiments of the pads as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 1, it is further very well possible to simultaneously prepare two cups of coffee. All this is discussed with reference toFIG. 14.FIG. 14 shows aholder16′ in which two pads are included. The holder is provided with a bottom18 comprising an insidebottom part26 and anoutside bottom part24 as discussed hereinabove. Thefirst pad1 is positioned resting with its bottom sheet on the bottom. Here, thesealing seam8 of the pad will reach over theoutside bottom part24. Further, asecond pad1′, which is identical to thepad1, is placed upside down on top of thepad1. For thesecond pad1′ it therefore holds that it rests with itstop sheet6 on thetop sheet6 of thefirst pad1. The assembly ofFIG. 14 is further provided with alid36′ for closing off theholder16′. Thelid36′ is provided, at the inside, with a bottom90 having at least onewater outlet opening92. The bottom90 of the lid is composed of a horizontally directed annular outsidebottom part92 and a dish-shaped insidebottom part94 adjacent theinside edge96 of the outside bottom part. Adjacent the outside bottom part, the inside bottom part extends upwards in a direction away from a side of the lid. The result is that thepad1′, as shown inFIG. 14, is included, at least virtually, in a space enclosed by the dish-shaped insidebottom part94. Here, the annular outsidebottom part24 of the holder lies opposite the annularoutside bottom part94 of thelid36′. The twosealing seams8 of the twopads1,1′ are situated (optionally not clamped, as in this example) between the outside bottom parts of the holder and the lid. When, with the apparatus according toFIG. 14, hot water is fed towater inlet40, this water will be pressed through the twopads1,1′ whereupon the coffee extract will leave the holder via theoutlet opening22. In this example, the amount of water that is fed to thewater inlet40 will be approximately twice as large as the amount discussed in relation toFIGS. 7 and 8a. It further appears that the pads, which are each provided with thearea10, cooperate such that the risk of bypass is strongly reduced and the coffee-making efficiency is optimized. According to the invention, with the assembly according toFIG. 14, each of the pads can also not be provided with theareas10. More in general, it then holds that the assembly comprises two pads and one holder while the pads are each provided with a flat top sheet and a bottom sheet which are interconnected adjacent their longitudinal edges, while the pads are filled with a product to be extracted and/or a product to be dissolved, the two pads being included in the holder, the holder being provided with a bottom and an upstanding sidewall while in the bottom at least one outflow opening is provided, a first pad of the pads resting with its bottom sheet on the bottom and a second pad of the two pads resting with its top sheet on the top sheet of the first pad.
• For each of the exemplary embodiments outlined hereinabove it holds that the area of the bottom sheet can be realized in various manners. For instance, the bottom sheet can consist of a nonwoven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area. It is also possible that the bottom sheet comprises a coating which has undergone a heat treatment in the area of the bottom sheet. This coating may then have been applied to both an outside of the bottom sheet (this is the side of the bottom sheet forming the outside of the pad) and an inside of the bottom sheet. It is also possible that the area of the bottom sheet comprises a coating which is at least virtually impermeable to water. This coating may, again, be applied both to the inside of the bottom sheet and to the outside of the bottom sheet. In each of these examples, the bottom sheet itself may have been manufactured from filtering paper. It is further possible that the bottom sheet is manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and that the area of the bottom sheet comprises an additional film which has been applied to the filtering paper at the inside and/or at the outside of the bottom sheet. Here, this additional film is of the type that is at least virtually impermeable to water. It is also conceivable that the bottom sheet is manufactured from a material that is at least virtually impermeable to water, which has been perforated for obtaining a filter. At the location where the perforation is missing, the bottom sheet is provided with thearea10 mentioned. Whatever holds for the bottom sheet, holds entirely analogously for the top sheet. For instance, the top sheet too can comprise a nonwoven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area. This top sheet can be combined with a similar type of bottom sheet or with a different type of bottom sheet, to be formed into a pad. Thus, the top sheet may have been manufactured from the non-woven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area while the bottom sheet is manufactured from a material which is at least virtually impermeable to water and which is perforated for obtaining a filter. Each of these combinations is a possibility. The top sheet too can therefore be provided with a coating which, in the area of the top sheet, has undergone a heat treatment. It is also conceivable that the area of the top sheet comprises a coating which is at least virtually impermeable to water. It is also possible that the area of the top sheet comprises an additional film applied to the filtering paper at an inside and/or at an outside of the pad and which is at least virtually impermeable to water. It is also possible that the top sheet is manufactured from a material which is at least virtually impermeable to water which is perforated for obtaining a filter. In each of the embodiments described hereinabove, it holds that the pad is of the flexible type. This means that in this example, the product in the pad has not been compressed to form a solid whole and hence has some freedom of movement within the covering and that the covering is not rigid. The pad may however be provided with a compressed product.
• In the embodiments outlined hereinabove it therefore holds that the covering is designed to be flexible. This has the advantage that, in use, the pad can adjust to the shape of the holder as a result of which the pad will link up well to the bottom of the holder so that the above-outlined cooperation between pad and holder can be realized in an optimal manner. When it further holds that the product has not been compressed, this has as an advantage that the product itself can adjust relatively rapidly to the shape of the holder. This will be somewhat more difficult when, conversely, the product has been compressed, and will typically only occur if hot water is fed to the pad.
• However, it is preferred that the pad is designed to be flexible. When the pad is designed to be flexible, this entails that the covering is of flexible design and that furthermore, the product has not been compressed.
• It could be so that the sealing seam and/or the areas have more rigid properties than the rest of the pad. In that example, it holds that the covering outside the sealing seam is designed to be at least substantially flexible. When the areas too are flexible, it then holds that the covering outside the sealing seam is designed to be flexible, and when the areas are rigid (not flexible) it holds that the covering outside the sealing seam is designed to be substantially flexible. In that case too, the above-outlined use of the various embodiments of the pad can be realized well. In particular, it holds that the surface of the predetermined positions where the area extends outside the sealing seam is relatively small with regard to the surface of the covering outside the sealing seam and outside the area. Relatively small is for instance understood to mean that the surface of the predetermined positions where the area extends outside the sealing seam is smaller than 50% of the surface of the covering outside the sealing seam and outside the area. In particular, the percentage is smaller than 40 percent and, preferably, smaller than 25 percent. If, in that case, the area were to have the property that it is more rigid than the rest of the covering, it has been achieved that in use, the pad as a whole can still take the shape of the holder as described hereinabove. Taking the shape is understood to mean, inter alia, that the pad as such already has a shape that fits the holder well, but because the pad is for instance substantially not rigid, but at least substantially flexible, the pad can still, at a level of details, differ from the shape of the holder and can thus, in use, adjust its shape.
• The fact that it is preferred that the covering is designed to be at least substantially flexible, entails, for instance, that the bottom and top sheet are each manufactured from a flexible material such as filtering paper, and that the area has properties such that also there, where the area is present, the covering remains not rigid but flexible, i.e. relatively easily deformable and bendable. Here, the sealing seam is also flexible.
• Preferably, it also holds for each of the outlined embodiments that the top sheet outside the sealing seam rests on the product, at least substantially. This allows the pad to be suitable to be placed in a holder while the liquid, more in particular the hot water, is fed under pressure to the holder for the purpose of being pressed through the holder. If the top sheet were not to substantially rest on the product, in use, the top sheet could tear and the pad is unsuitable, or less suitable, to be used under pressure.
• It is preferred that the pad be filled with a product to be extracted such as, for instance, ground coffee or tea. In that case, the pad may, optionally, further be filled with a product to be dissolved such as a creamer, cocoa or other substances such as flavourings, colorants etc.
• Further, the pressure limit openings can be provided entirely in the outside bottom part and/or entirely in the inside bottom part. Also, instead of being circular, the pads can have a different shape such as oval, n-angular (N greater than or equal to three), et cetera. Annular is therefore also understood to include these shapes. Such variants are each understood to fall within the framework of the invention.

Claims (77)

1. A pad filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or, optionally, a product to be dissolved such as a creamer for preparing a beverage, wherein the pad is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the pad for extracting and/or dissolving the product, the pad being provided with an optionally flexible bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and an optionally flexible top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges so that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet and the top sheet each forming a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water, characterized in that one area of the covering is designed to be at least virtually impermeable to water wherein:—the area comprises at least one annular sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam extending around the sealing seam, which area further extends outside the sealing seam at predetermined positions;—and/or the area comprises a plurality of sub-areas separate from each other;—and/or the area comprises at least one sub-area occupying at least a part of the sealing seam and a part of the covering outside the sealing seam.

2. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the annular sub-area comprises, at the bottom sheet, an annular bottom sheet sub-area which extends inside and outside the sealing seam.

3. A pad according toclaim 2, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet sub-area occupies the entire sealing seam.

4. A pad according toclaim 2, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet sub-area occupies a part of the sealing seam.

5. A pad according toclaim 4, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet sub-area occupies a first annular seam part of the sealing seam.

6. A pad according toclaim 5, characterized in that the sealing seam comprises a second annular seam part which embraces the first annular seam part and does not form part of the at least virtually water impermeable area of the bottom sheet.

7. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the annular sub-area comprises at the bottom sheet an annular bottom sheet sub-area which extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam, while the area further comprises, at the bottom sheet, parts forming bulges at an inside edge of the bottom sheet sub-area outside the sealing seam.

8. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the area comprises, at the bottom sheet, a first strip-shaped bottom area sub-area which extends along at least a part of a diameter of the bottom sheet.

9. A pad according toclaim 8, characterized in that the ends of the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area are located in or are adjacent to a part of the sealing seam.

10. A pad according toclaim 8, characterized in that the area of the bottom sheet comprises a second strip -shaped bottom sheet sub-area which extends along at least a part of a diameter of the bottom sheet.

11. A pad according toclaim 10, characterized in that the ends of the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area are located in or are adjacent to a part of the sealing seam.

12. A pad according toclaim 11, characterized in that the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area and the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area include an angle different from zero.

13. A pad according toclaim 12, characterized in that said angle is approximately equal to 90 degrees.

14. A pad according toclaim 10, characterized in that the first strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area and the second strip-shaped bottom sheet sub-area intersect.

15. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the bottom sheet comprises an annular bottom sheet part, of which first ring segments form part of the area of the covering and of which second ring segments do not form part of the area of the covering, the first and second ring segments together forming the annular bottom sheet part, while the annular bottom sheet part extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam.

16. A pad according toclaim 15, characterized in that one segment of the first segments borders, on both sides, on segments of the second segments.

17. A pad according toclaim 16, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet part occupies the entire sealing seam.

18. A pad according toclaim 16, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet part occupies only a part of the sealing seam.

19. A pad according toclaim 18, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet part occupies a third annular seam part of the sealing seam.

20. A pad according toclaim 19, characterized in that the sealing seam comprises a fourth annular seam part which embraces the third annular seam part and does not form part of the at least virtually water impermeable area of the bottom sheet.

21. A pad according toclaim 15, characterized in that the annular bottom sheet extends inside and outside the sealing seam.

22. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the area comprises, at the top sheet, an annular top sheet sub-area extending inside and outside the sealing seam.

23. A pad according toclaim 22, characterized in that the annular top sheet sub-area occupies the entire sealing seam.

24. A pad according toclaim 22, characterized in that the annular top sheet sub-area covers a part of the sealing seam.

25. A pad according toclaim 24, characterized in that the annular top sheet sub-area occupies a fifth annular seam part of the sealing seam.

26. A pad according toclaim 25, characterized in that the sealing seam comprises a sixth annular seam part which embraces the fifth annular seam part and does not form part of the at least virtually water impermeable area of the top sheet.

27. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the annular sub-area comprises, at the top sheet, an annular bottom sheet sub-area extending along the sealing seam while the area further comprises, at the top sheet, parts forming bulges at an inside edge of the top sheet outside the sealing seam.

28. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top sheet comprises an annular top sheet part of which first ring segments form part of the area of the top sheet and second ring segments do not form part of the area of the top sheet, the first and second ring segments of the annular top sheet part together forming the annular top sheet part while the annular top sheet part extends along the sealing seam and occupies at least a part of the sealing seam.

29. A pad according toclaim 28, characterized in that one segment of the first segments of the annular top sheet part borders, on both sides, on segments of the second segments of the annular top sheet part.

30. A pad according toclaim 28, characterized in that the annular top sheet part covers the entire sealing seam.

31. A pad according toclaim 28, characterized in that the annular top sheet part occupies a part of the sealing seam.

32. A pad according toclaim 31, characterized in that the annular top sheet part covers a seventh annular seam part of the sealing seam.

33. A pad according toclaim 32, characterized in that the sealing seam comprises an eighth annular seam part which embraces the seventh annular seam part and does not form part of the area of the top sheet which is at least virtually impermeable to water.

34. A pad according toclaim 28, characterized in that the annular top sheet part extends inside and outside the sealing seam.

35. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the plurality of areas separate from each other extends each partly inside (along) and partly outside the sealing seam.

36. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the plurality of areas separated from each other each extend inside (along) the sealing seam.

37. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the plurality of areas separated from each other each extend outside the sealing seam.

38. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the sub-areas extend at the bottom sheet of the covering.

39. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the bottom sheet comprises a non-woven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area.

40. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the bottom sheet comprises a coating which has undergone a heat treatment in the area of the bottom sheet.

41. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the area of the bottom sheet comprises a coating which is at least virtually impermeable to water.

42. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the area of the bottom sheet comprises an additional film which is applied to the filtering paper at the inside and/or at the outside of the pad and which is at least virtually impermeable to water.

43. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the bottom sheet is manufactured from a material that is at least virtually impermeable to water, which is perforated for obtaining a filter.

44. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top sheet comprises a non-woven material which has undergone a heat treatment in the area.

45. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top sheet comprises a coating which has undergone a heat treatment in the area of the top sheet.

46. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the area of the top sheet comprises a coating which is at least virtually impermeable to water.

47. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the area of the top sheet comprises an additional film which is applied to the filtering paper at the inside and/or at the outside of the pad and which is at least virtually impermeable to water.

48. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top sheet is manufactured from a material that is at least virtually impermeable to water, which is perforated for obtaining a filter.

49. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of indentations located at an outside edge of the sealing seam.

50. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of openings which extend from a top side of the pad to a bottom side of the pad.

51. A pad according toclaim 49, characterized in that the indentations are located in the area of the bottom sheet.

52. A pad according toclaim 50, characterized in that the openings are located in the area of the bottom sheet.

53. A pad according toclaim 49, characterized in that the indentations are located in the area of the top sheet.

54. A pad according toclaim 50, characterized in that the openings are located in the area of the top sheet.

55. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the bottom sheet is designed to be at least substantially cup-shaped.

56. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top sheet is designed to be at least virtually flat.

57. A pad according toclaim 55, characterized in that the pad is designed so as to be at least virtually mirror symmetrical relative to a flat plane through the sealing seam.

58. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the covering outside the sealing seam is designed to be at least substantially flexible.

59. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the covering is designed to be flexible.

60. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the pad is designed to be flexible.

61. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the surface of the predetermined positions where the area extends outside the sealing seam is relatively small with regard to the surface of the covering outside the sealing seam and outside the area.

62. A pad according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top sheet outside the sealing seam rests, at least substantially, on the product.

63. An assembly of a pad and a holder in which the pad is included, wherein the pad is filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee and/or, optionally, a product to be dissolved such as a creamer, the pad being provided with a bottom sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper and a top sheet manufactured from, for instance, filtering paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected at their longitudinal edges so that a covering with a circumferential sealing seam is formed, with the product situated between the top sheet and the bottom sheet while the bottom sheet and the top sheet each form a filter which is at least virtually impermeable to the product and which is at least permeable to water, the holder being provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding sidewall while in the bottom at least one outflow opening is provided, the pad resting on the bottom, while the assembly is designed in order that, in use, a liquid such as hot water can be fed under pressure to the assembly for extracting the pad, characterized in that in the bottom, further, at least one pressure limit opening is provided, the bottom sheet of the pad being provided with at least one area which is impermeable to water and which covers the at least one pressure limit opening.

64. An assembly according toclaim 63, characterized in that the pad reaches over the bottom adjacent the upstanding sidewall.

65. An assembly according toclaim 63, characterized in that the bottom is composed of a horizontal, annular outside bottom part and a dish-shaped inside bottom part which borders on an inside edge of the outside bottom part, the inside bottom part adjacent the outside bottom part extending downwards in a direction away from a side of the holder.

66. An assembly according toclaim 65, characterized in that the at least one pressure limit opening extends at least in the outside bottom part.

67. An assembly according toclaim 66, characterized in that the at least one pressure limit opening also extends into the inside bottom part.

68. An assembly according toclaim 63, characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of indentations located at an outside edge of the sealing seam and that the bottom of the holder is provided with projections reaching into the indentations.

69. An assembly according toclaim 63, characterized in that the sealing seam is provided with a plurality of openings which extend from a top side of the pad to a bottom side of the pad, and that the bottom of the holder is provided with projections reaching into the openings.

70. An assembly according toclaim 63, characterized in that the holder is provided with a plurality of pressure limit openings which are each covered by the at least one area.

71. An assembly according toclaim 63, characterized in that the holder is provided with a plurality of pressure limit openings and that the area is provided with a plurality of sub-areas which, in combination, cover the pressure limit openings.

72. An assembly comprising two pads according toclaim 56 and one holder in which both pads are included, the holder being provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding sidewall while in the bottom at least one outflow opening is provided, the first pad of the pads resting with its bottom sheet on the bottom, a second pad of the two pads resting with its top sheet on the top sheet of the first pad.

73. An assembly according toclaim 72, wherein the assembly is further provided with a lid for closing off the holder, the lid being provided at its inside with a bottom which is provided with at least one water supply opening for feeding hot water to the holder, the bottom of the lid being composed of a horizontally directed annular outside bottom part and a dish-shaped inside bottom part which borders on an inside edge of the outside bottom part, while the inside bottom part adjacent the outside bottom part extends upwards in a direction away from the side of the lid.

74. An assembly according toclaim 73, characterized in that the annular outside bottom part of the holder lies opposite the annular outside bottom part of the lid.

75. An assembly according toclaim 74, characterized in that the two sealing seams of the two pads are situated between the outside bottom parts of the holder and the lid.

76. A pad of the assembly according toclaim 63.

77. An assembly comprising two pads and a holder, wherein the pads are each provided with a flat top sheet and a bottom sheet which are interconnected adjacent their longitudinal edges, the pads being filled with a product to be extracted and/or a product to be dissolved while the top sheet and the bottom sheet are impermeable to the product and are at least permeable to water, the two pads both being included in the holder while the holder is provided with a bottom and, optionally, an upstanding side wall, in the bottom at least one outflow opening being provided, a first pad of the pads resting with its bottom sheet on the bottom and a second pad of the two pads resting with its top sheet on the top sheet of the first pad.

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