Pad holder, assembly, and method for producing a beverage

Abstract

Pad for producing a beverage, provided with a first permeable layer and a second permeable layer opposite to the first permeable layer. The pad is further provided with a filling arranged in between the first and second permeable layer. The pad is arranged for receiving pressurized water through the first permeable layer, for dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least part of the filling in the received pressurized water. The pad is arranged for releasing through the second permeable layer the water with the at least part of the filling dissolved, dispersed, and/or extracted therein. The first permeable layer has a plurality of apertures for receiving the pressurized water. The apertures have a size dimensioned for establishing swirling motion of the water inside the filling.

1 . A method of producing a beverage by using a pad provided with a first permeable layer and a second permeable layer opposite to the first permeable layer, further provided with a filling arranged in between the first and the second permeable layer, the method including the steps:
 receiving pressurized water through a plurality of apertures in the first permeable layer;   dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least part of the filling in the received pressurized water;   releasing through the second permeable layer the water with the at least part of the filling dissolved, dispersed, and/or extracted therein;   establishing swirling motion of the water inside the filling, enabled by dimensioning a size of the apertures and/or by adapting a total number of the plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises:
 the first permeable layer;   the second permeable layer opposite to the first permeable layer;   the filling arranged in between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer;   wherein the pad is arranged for receiving pressurized water through the first permeable layer, for dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least part of the filling in the received pressurized water, and for releasing through the second permeable layer the water with the at least part of the filling dissolved, dispersed, and/or extracted therein;   wherein the first permeable layer has the plurality of apertures for receiving the pressurized water, the apertures having a size dimensioned for establishing swirling motion of the water inside the filling.   
     
     
         3 . A method of producing a chocolate beverage, by using a pad provided with a first permeable layer and a second permeable layer opposite to the first permeable layer, the method including the steps:
 providing the pad with a filling arranged in between the first and the second permeable layer, which filling has a weight of at least 11 grams and contains a chocolate ingredient;   receiving pressurized water through the first permeable layer;   dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least part of the filling in the received pressurized water;   releasing through the second permeable layer the water with the at least part of the filling dissolved, dispersed, and/or extracted therein.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the filling has a weight of at least 15 grams. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the pad comprises:
 the first permeable layer;   the second permeable layer opposite to the first permeable layer;   the filling arranged in between the first and the second permeable layer;   wherein the pad is arranged for receiving pressurized water through the first permeable layer, for dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least part of the filling in the received pressurized water, and for releasing through the second permeable layer the water with the at least part of the filling dissolved, dispersed, and/or extracted therein;   wherein the filling has a weight of at least 13 grams.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the pad comprises:
 a first permeable layer;   a second permeable layer opposite to the first permeable layer;   a filling arranged in between the first and the second permeable layer;   wherein the pad is arranged for receiving pressurized water through the first permeable layer, for dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least part of the filling in the received pressurized water, and for releasing through the second permeable layer the water with the at least part of the filling dissolved, dispersed, and/or extracted therein;   wherein, in use, a solubility of the filling preferably is at least 80 weight percent   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a pressure difference of between about 0.2 and 2.0 bar between a first location upstream from and adjacent to the first permeable layer and a second location downstream from and adjacent the second permeable layer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure difference is between about 0.4 and 1.4 bar. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the pad includes a separating structure extending between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer and including a plurality of radially extending walls and a plurality of circumferentially extending walls collectively forming a plurality of flow channels. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of circumferentially extending walls define a plurality of recesses extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of radially extending walls. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising generating a pressure difference of between about 0.2 and 2.0 bar between a first location upstream from and adjacent to the first permeable layer and a second location downstream from and adjacent the second permeable layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure difference is between about 0.4 and 1.4 bar. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pad includes a separating structure extending between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer and including a plurality of radially extending walls and a plurality of circumferentially extending walls collectively forming a plurality of flow channels. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of circumferentially extending walls define a plurality of recesses extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of radially extending walls. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising dissolving, dispersing, and/or extracting at least 60 weight percent of the filling in the received pressurized water. 
     
     
         16 . A method of producing a beverage, comprising:
 providing a pad comprising a first permeable layer, a second permeable layer, and a filling arranged between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer;   directing pressurized fluid through a plurality of apertures in the first permeable layer, the filling, and the second permeable layer, such that the fluid and at least a portion of the filling exit the second permeable layer, wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to cause a swirling motion of the fluid between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer;   wherein a pressure difference between the fluid prior to entering the first permeable layer and the fluid after exiting the second permeable layer is between about 0.2 and 2.0 bar.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the filling has a weight of at least 11 grams, and further comprising dissolving at least 60 weight percent of the filling in the fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure difference is between about 0.4 and 1.4 bar. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pad includes a separating structure extending between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer and including a plurality of radially extending walls and a plurality of circumferentially extending walls collectively forming a plurality of flow channels. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of circumferentially extending walls define a plurality of recesses extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of radially extending walls.