Method for providing a beverage provided with a fine-bubble froth layer or a beverage at least virtually without the fine bubble froth layer, pad with covering filled with product to be extracted and/or to be dissolved; assembly provided with such a pad and a holder; beverage preparation apparatus for preparing a beverage

Abstract

A control unit for an automatic device for preparing a beverage, which control unit is provided with a display panel and an input wherein the control unit is provided furthermore with an operating unit for displaying by the display panel a visually observable reaction to designations provided by the user, and for controlling a preparation unit of the automatic device, wherein the display panel has selection fields for mutually exclusive settings for formulations of the beverage to be prepared, wherein the control unit enables the user to select one of the settings by designation of one of the selection fields, wherein a collecting field with at least one setting field shows the chosen setting of the formulation, and wherein the non-designated selection fields remain visible and selectable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pad comprising:
 a covering filled with product to be extracted and/or dissolved, wherein the covering is configured to receive a fluid such as water supplied under pressure, so that the fluid is pressed through the pad for obtaining a beverage which leaves the pad; and   a spout opening;   wherein the pad is configured to be selectively used in a first condition or a second condition, such that:
 in the first condition, the beverage leaves the pad in the form of a jet of the beverage for obtaining a fine bubble froth layer on the beverage; and 
 in the second condition, the beverage leaves the pad not in the form of a jet, so that a beverage is obtained which is at least virtually free of a fine bubble froth layer. 
   
     
     
         2 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering is provided with a first side and a second side, wherein the product is located between the first side and the second side and wherein the covering on the second side is at least virtually non-transmissive to the fluid and the beverage, while on the second side of the cover, the pad is provided with the spout opening. 
     
     
         3 . A pad according to  claim 2 , wherein the covering on the first side is at least partly designed as a filter which is transmissive to the fluid and the beverage and is at least virtually non-transmissive to the product. 
     
     
         4 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout opening is transmissive to the fluid and the beverage and is at least virtually non-transmissive to the product. 
     
     
         5 . A pad according to  claim 2 , wherein the covering on the first side is formed by a first sheet and on the second side is formed by a second sheet, wherein the spout opening is provided in, on or at the second sheet. 
     
     
         6 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the first condition of use, the spout opening is located in a position downstream of the product. 
     
     
         7 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the second condition of use, the spout opening is in a position upstream of the product. 
     
     
         8 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises a fluid communication between the spout opening and a space enclosed by the covering. 
     
     
         9 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout opening comprises a spout element that is provided with an inflow opening and a dispensing opening, while the inflow opening is connected, via a fluid communication, with the space enclosed by the covering and the dispensing opening is designed for generating a jet of the beverage with the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         10 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout opening is placed at a distance from the covering. 
     
     
         11 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout opening is located outside the covering. 
     
     
         12 . A pad according to  claim 5 , wherein the pad comprises distancing means which form a fluid flow area which extends between the spout opening and the product, with the fluid flow area comprising an inflow surface, while, in use, in the first condition of use, the fluid and/or the beverage flows into the fluid flow area via the inflow surface, and flows from the fluid flow area via the spout opening. 
     
     
         13 . A pad according to  claim 12 , wherein the distancing means are included between the spout opening and the second sheet so that the fluid flow area extends between the spout opening and the second sheet. 
     
     
         14 . A pad according to  claim 12 , wherein the inflow surface has a surface which is larger than a surface of the spout opening. 
     
     
         15 . A pad according to  claim 12 , wherein the inflow surface extends substantially over an entire cross section of the covering over which the product extends. 
     
     
         16 . A pad according to  claim 12 , wherein the distancing means comprise an open cell foam, an optionally sintered grain material, a gauze, at least one rib and/or at least one rod. 
     
     
         17 . A pad according to  claim 14 , wherein the distancing means comprise a third sheet. 
     
     
         18 . A pad according to  claim 14 , wherein the distancing means comprise a substantially rigid element. 
     
     
         19 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is provided with frothing means for forming the fine bubble froth layer in the beverage under the influence of the jet exiting from the spout opening. 
     
     
         20 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry extending between the first side and second side. 
     
     
         21 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering is provided with a first side and a second side, wherein the product is located between the first side and the second side and wherein the covering on the second side is at least virtually non-transmissive to the fluid and the beverage, while on the second side of the cover, the pad is provided with the spout opening; and
 wherein the pad is configured such that in the first condition, the beverage leaves the pad via the spout opening, and in the second condition, the beverage leaves the pad via the first side of the covering.