Form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage and stiffening body for use in a form-retaining pad

Abstract

A stiffening body (1) for use in a form-retaining pad (20) for preparing a beverage is disclosed. The stiffening body comprises a top side (4) having an open top area (5), a bottom side (2) having an open bottom area (3), and a circumferential wall (6) extending between the top side and the bottom side. The circumferential wall, top side and bottom side define a space (7) configured to contain at least a part of a soluble substance in use in the pad. The space is accessible through the open top area for receiving a bottom side and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies. The stiffening body is molded one-piece from a pulp material.

Description

[0001] Title: Form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage and stiffening body for use in a form -retaining pad

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The disclosure relates to a form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage. The disclosure furthermore relates to a stiffening body for use in a form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage. Moreover, the disclosure relates to an assembly of a pad holder and a form -retaining pad. The disclosure also relates to a process of manufacturing a form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Form-retaining pads are used to prepare beverages such as coffee, milk or chocolate based drinks. For example a form-retaining pad is known from EPl, 398, 279 and WO2013066178. These known form -retaining pads comprise a top sheet and a bottom sheet enclosing a chamber containing a beverage substance, wherein the top sheet is manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, and a bottom sheet, manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, but transmissive to a liquid in which the substance is dissolved. Between the top sheet and bottom sheet a plastic stiffening body is provided which ensures the form -retaining property of the pad. For the preparation of a beverage the known formretaining pads can be used in combination with a pad holder in a suitable beverage preparation device such as the use in a Senseo® appliance in which the form-retaining pad is placed on a pad holder of the device, after which a dissolving liquid such as hot water is supplied through the top sheet and the soluble beverage substance of the form-retaining pad to the pad holder by means of the device. The dissolving liquid dissolves the soluble beverage substance which then leaves the form-retaining pad through the bottom sheet as the prepared beverage. The pad holder is provided with, for instance, at least one outlet opening through which the prepared beverage can flow out of the pad holder. Although the known form -retaining pads are perfectly suited for preparing desired beverages, the use of the plastic stiffening body in combination with the form-retaining pads usually being discarded after use in the general waste, is not ideal from a sustainability perspective.

[0006] There accordingly is a need for a more environmental friendly or sustainable form-retaining pad.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the disclosure to provide a form-retaining pad that obviates the mentioned drawback. It is a particular object of the disclosure to provide a stiffening body for use in a form-retaining pad that is more environmental friendly. Specifically, an object of the disclosure is to provide a stiffening body for use in a form-retaining pad that is compostable. Compostable here means made of compostable material or consisting of one or more compostable materials. Thus, an object is to provide the stiffening body being compostable, i.e made of compostable material or consisting of one or more compostable materials. A compostable material as used herein means that the material meets the requirements as specified in the European Norm (EN) 13432 “Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging”. The material is preferably home compostable and may be industrially compostable. Particularly, as used herein a compostable material is considered industrially compostable with a biodegradability of at least 90% within 6 months (12 months for home compostable materials) under controlled composting conditions (ISO 14855), a fragmentation and loss of visibility in the final compost (disintegration) determined by at least 90% of the material being able to pass through a 2-mm sieve when composted together with organic waste for at most 3 months (6 months for home compostable materials), an amount of heavy metals below predefined maximum values, and absence of adverse effects on the composting process, the quality of the compost and plant growth.

[0009] It is a further object of the disclosure to provide a form-retaining pad with which it is possible to prepare beverages of good quality based on a large variety of substances.

[0010] Thereto, the disclosure provides for a stiffening body for use in a form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage, the pad comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet enclosing a chamber containing a soluble beverage substance, wherein the top sheet is manufactured from a material non- transmissive to the substance, and a bottom sheet, manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, but transmissive to a liquid in which the substance is dissolved, wherein the stiffening body has a top side having an open top area in use in the pad covered by the top sheet, a bottom side having an open bottom area in use in the pad covered by the bottom sheet, and a circumferential wall extending between the top side and the bottom side around a central axis of the stiffing body, wherein the circumferential wall, top side and bottom side define a space configured to contain at least a part of the soluble substance in use in the pad, wherein the space is accessible through the open top area for receiving a bottom side and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies, and wherein the stiffening body is molded one-piece from a pulp material. The stiffening body being molded one-piece from a pulp material is fully compostable while also meeting the necessary requirements for the stiffening body in providing in use in a pad sufficient strength and form-retainability to the pad and liquid guidance properties when used in a beverage appliance in combination with a pad holder. A form-retaining pad having such fully compostable stiffening body can be made fully compostable as well, for example by using compostable materials for the top sheet and bottom sheet. Importantly, the configuration of the top side with open top area, bottom side with open bottom area and circumferential wall of the stiffening body is such that the stiffening body can be stacked in a stack of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies. Such stackability of the stiffening body contributes to convenience of transport, storage and use of the stiffening bodies prior to further use thereof in the manufacturing of a form -retaining pad.

[0011] The interplay of the stiffening body being molded one-piece from pulp material having particular material properties different from plastic and the desired stackability of the stiffening body renders the stiffening body to be relatively subject to deformation when stacked in relatively high stacks due to the weight posed thereon. Additionally, due to the necessary draft angle needed in molding the stiffening bodies, consecutive similarly sized and shaped stiffening bodies in a stack will at least almost completely fit in each other. This results in some or all of the stiffening bodies in a stack from potentially getting stuck or at least resulting in difficult denesting of a stiffening body from the stack of stiffening bodies. Thereto, the circumferential wall of the stiffening body optionally has an inner face facing the space and an outer face facing an outside of the stiffening body, wherein the inner face comprises a support part and the outer face comprises an abutting part, wherein the support part is configured to support an abutting part of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body when in a stacked configuration, and wherein at least one of the support part and the abutting part has a spacing means configured to maintain in a stacked configuration of the stiffening body with a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body a distance between the circumferential wall of the stiffening body and the circumferential wall of the further stiffening body. Accordingly, when two or more of the stiffening bodies are stacked, the spacing means ensures that a distance is kept between the respective circumferential walls of consecutive stiffening bodies in the stack, thereby limiting a contact surface between these stiffening bodies, preventing the stiffening bodies from getting stuck and assisting in convenient denesting of a stiffening body from the stack of stiffening bodies.

[0012] Optionally, the top sheet and the bottom sheet of the form retaining pad are sealed to each other at a circumferential edge section, enclosing the stiffening body and forming a flange, wherein the stiffening body of the form retaining pad is accommodated in the chamber.

[0013] Optionally, the spacing means is formed by a non-uniform thickness of the circumferential wall, and / or a protrusion on the circumferential wall. For example, the circumferential wall during molding can be provided with a local wall thickness increase. The local wall thickness increase can for instance be provided approximately halfway the height of the stiffening body between the bottom side and top side, which enables the stiffening bodies to be stacked in a sufficient space saving manner and with a proper stack stability, while enabling a quick and easy denesting of each stiffening body from the stack. The local wall thickness increase may optionally be provided in a vertical part of the circumferential wall extending approximately parallel to the central axis between the bottom side and top side. An upper edge of the vertical part thereby forms the support part for supporting an abutting part of a further stiffening body stacked thereon, and a lower edge of the vertical part forms the abutting part for abutting against a support part of a further stiffening body onto which the stiffening body is stacked.

[0014] Optionally, the protrusion on the circumferential wall is a notch. Optionally the protrusion on the circumferential wall is a rib extending between the bottom side and top side.

[0015] Optionally the spacing means is provided on the outer face of the circumferential wall. Alternatively, or additionally, the spacing means is provided on the inner face of the circumferential wall. Preferably, the spacing means protrudes into the space in a direction transversely to the central axis.

[0016] The spacing means may extend in a radial direction around the central axis along at least a part of the circumferential wall. For example, a spacing means may be provided that extends fully, i.e. 360 degrees, around the central axis along the circumferential wall. For example the spacing means can be formed by a local wall thickness increase in the circumferential wall that is provided in the molding process 360 degrees around the central axis. The spacing means may alternatively extend in the radial direction along just a part of the circumferential wall, such as a spacing means formed by a notch or rib on the circumferential wall.

[0017] Optionally, the circumferential wall has at least one further spacing means provided at a radial distance from the spacing means. For instance two or more identical or different spacing means may be provided, such as two or more notches or ribs.

[0018] Optionally, the spacing means and the at least one further spacing means are provided at non symmetric radial positions with respect to the central axis. For example two or more spacing means may be provided at a radial distance from each other different from 360 degrees divided by the number of spacing means. Thus, for two spacing means the radial distance between the two spacing means differs from 180 degrees. For three spacing means the radial distance between each two of the three spacing means differs from 120 degrees. For four spacing means the radial distance between two radially consecutive spacing means differs from 90 degrees. And so on. Such non symmetric radial positioning of the spacing means renders it less likely that two consecutive stiffening bodies in a stack exactly nest.

[0019] Optionally, the at least one further spacing means comprises at least two further spacing means provided at different radial distances from the spacing means. For example three or more spacing means may be provided, with each spacing means being positioned at a different radial distance to its radially consecutive spacing means. For instance for five spacing means in consecutive order a first spacing means may be radially distanced 68 degrees from a second spacing means, which is radially distanced 72 degrees from a third spacing means, which is radially distanced 76 degrees from a fourth spacing means, which is radially distanced 70 degrees from a fifth spacing means, which is radially distanced 74 degrees from the first spacing means. Such non-uniform radial distancing between the consecutive spacing means brings the likelihood of two consecutive stiffening bodies in a stack exactly nesting to a minimum.

[0020] To this end each radial distance between two consecutive spacing means of all the spacing means is preferably different.

[0021] Optionally, the spacing means is formed by a protrusion on the circumferential wall, and the protrusion is a rib extending from the bottom side in the direction of the top side.

[0022] Preferably, the rib extends from the bottom side up to the top side wherein an upper surface of the rib forms an attachment area at the top side configured for attaching the top sheet thereto in use in the pad. Thus, the rib not only serves as a spacing means that prevents sticking of stiffening bodies in a stack, but also serves as a convenient base to which the top sheet of a form -retaining pad can be attached.

[0023] Optionally, the circumferential wall extends diverging with respect to the central axis from the bottom side to the top side. For example the circumferential wall may be an oblique or sloping wall extending from the bottom side to the top side. Alternatively, or additionally, the circumferential wall may comprise horizontal and / or vertical parts, such as one or more steps in the circumferential wall. Optionally, the circumferential wall comprises at least one step. At least one step in the circumferential wall may increase the stiffness thereof. Optionally the circumferential wall comprises as least two steps. For example one step may be provided in the circumferential wall near the bottom side to increase the stiffness of the lower side of the circumferential wall, and at least one further step may be provided in the circumferential wall near the top side to increase the stiffness of the top side of the circumferential wall.

[0024] Optionally, the circumferential wall comprises a lower wall section extending radially from the open bottom area to a central wall section, which central wall section extends to the upper side in a direction approximately parallel to the central axis. The lower wall section may for example form the bottom side of the circumferential wall that extends substantially horizontally with respect to the central axis with an inner edge of the lower wall section defining the open bottom area in the bottom side. Optionally, the lower wall section is substantially flat. This provides for a good contact surface for contacting an opposing surface of a pad holder on which a form-retaining pad containing the stiffening body may be positioned to prepare a beverage. The two opposing contact surfaces may be configured to prevent a liquid from flowing therethrough, for example to force beverage exiting the form-retaining pad through the open bottom area from flowing towards the opening in the pad holder.

[0025] Optionally, the circumferential wall comprises a relatively sharp bend between the lower wall section and the central wall section. The sharp bend provides sufficient space for any possible creases in the bottom sheet when used in a form-retaining pad.

[0026] Optionally the pulp material used for forming the stiffening body comprises an amount of an alkyl ketene dimer between 0.5% -2% weight percentage, and / or an amount of wet strength agent between 0.5% - 2% weight percentage. The pulp material may comprise a mixture of short cellulose fibers and long cellulose fibers in an amount between 90-99% weight percentage of the pulp material. Optionally the short cellulose fibers and long cellulose fibers are in the pulp material in approximately equal weight percentage quantities. For example the pulp material may contain 1% weight percentage alkyl ketene dimer, 1% weight percentage wet strength agent, and 98% weight percentage of a mixture of short cellulose fibers and long cellulose fibers in approximately equal weight percentage quantities.

[0027] Optionally, the short cellulose fibers are derived from hard wood and the long cellulose fibers are derived from soft wood. Optionally, the pulp material comprises one or more types of fibers obtained from abaca, bagasse, hemp, straw, silphia and / or other type of sustainable fibers.

[0028] In another aspect the disclosure provides a form retaining pad for preparing a beverage comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet enclosing a chamber containing a beverage substance, wherein the top sheet is manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, and a bottom sheet, manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, but transmissive to a liquid in which the substance is dissolved, and comprising a stiffening body according the disclosure, wherein the top sheet covers the open top area and the bottom sheet covers the open bottom area. Optionally, the top sheet and / or the bottom sheet are made of a compostable material to render the complete form -retaining pad compostable. Optionally, the top sheet and / or bottom sheet are made of a combination of paper fibers and polylactic acid fibers (PLA fibers). The PLA fibers may for example constitute 25% weight percentage of the material for making the top sheet and / or bottom sheet. Optionally, the top sheet and / or bottom sheet is heat sealable, i.e. configured to be sealed to the stiffening body by heat sealing. Examples of materials that may be used for the top sheet and / or the bottom sheet are filter paper Dynagreen® 121 / 9 with calandered finishing and optionally extra stretching from Glatfelter, filter paper Dynagreen® 119 / 9 / CF03 from Glatfelter, filter paper Dynagreen® 119 / 92 from Glatfelter, filter paper CD32915F, CD34010F, CD34914F, CD34020F, CD50160M, or CD34014F from Ahlstrom. Optionally, the top sheet comprises a lower layer facing the stiffening body and an upper layer facing in an opposite direction to an outside surroundings. The lower layer and upper layer may be laminated and / or form a laminated structure. The upper layer of the top sheet may be made of cellulose or comprise cellulose. The upper layer may be configured to support on its upper surface an image or marking, for example data representing information with respect to one or more of the content in the form retaining pad, i.e. the soluble product, the beverage to be produced with the form retaining pad, brew parameters, the origin of the form retaining pad, i.e. data of the producer or retailer of the form retaining pad such as a trademark name or logo. Optionally other parts of the form retaining pad, including the lower layer of the top sheet, the stiffening body and the bottom sheet may additionally or alternatively comprise or be provided with an image or marking. The lower layer may be made of or comprise a polyhydroxyalkanoate. Optionally the lower layer is made of or comprises poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH). Optionally, at least one of the upper layer and lower layer has openings, e.g. is porous or is provided with perforations. Optionally, the top sheet may be perforated or comprise openings. It is possible for the formretaining pad to be designed with a top sheet comprising or consisting of a layer of material non-transmissive to liquid. The top sheet may be provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving water. In an embodiment, the top sheet is closed except for these apertures. This may be achieved for example by manufacturing the top sheet by providing apertures in an otherwise impermeable substrate. Then, the apertures cause the permeability of the top sheet.

[0029] Optionally, the substance in the pad is a soluble product, for example a soluble coffee product, soluble milk product, including soluble plant-based milk product, diary creamer, non-diary creamer, soluble tea product or soluble chocolate product, and / or any combination thereof. The soluble product can be dissolved in a suitable liquid such as hot or cold water to form a desired beverage, such as coffee, hot or cold milk, hot or cold tea, or hot or cold chocolate, and / or any combination thereof.

[0030] Optionally, the bottom sheet of the form-retaining pad is sealed to the lower wall section of the circumferential wall of the stiffening body. Such sealing prevents prepared beverage in use of the pad in preparing a beverage from flowing past the seal between the stiffening body and bottom sheet and urges the prepared beverage towards the exit area of the formretaining pad. Optionally, the lower wall section of the circumferential wall of the stiffening body comprises a sealing edge configured for sealing of the bottom sheet thereto. The sealing edge may be provided in the stiffening body during a moulding step, e.g. using a corresponding mould, or alternatively the sealing edge may be provided to the stiffening body during a sealing step, e.g. using a corresponding welding means for instance a welding head with suitable shape for deforming the stiffening body to obtain the sealing edge by pressing the welding head against the lower wall section of the circumferential wall. The sealing edge may be configured to provide a sealing area in the form retaining pad that is configured to abut against or seal against a supporting surface of a pad holder in a manner that prevents flow of liquid between the sealing area and supporting surface.

[0031] Optionally, the top sheet is sealed to an attachment area of the circumferential wall at the top side of the stiffening body. Such sealing prevents liquid supplied to the open top area in use of the pad in preparing a beverage from flowing laterally past the seal and urges the liquid towards the chamber in the form-retaining pad containing the soluble beverage substance.

[0032] Optionally, the bottom sheet and the top sheet are sealed to each other at a circumferential edge section, enclosing the stiffening body. The circumferential edge section at which the top sheet and the bottom sheet are sealed to each other may form a flange. Alternatively, the bottom sheet is provided between the substance and the stiffening body. For example the bottom sheet may be positioned inside the stiffening boy on the bottom side, covering the open bottom area, with the soluble beverage substance being supported on top of the bottom sheet.

[0033] A consideration is that, in use, it can occur that the dissolving liquid with the soluble substance dissolved therein, i.e. the prepared beverage, which exits the pad through the bottom sheet flows back between the circumferential wall of the form-retaining pad and an inner wall of a pad holder on which the pad is used to prepare a beverage, which liquid therefore does not leave the pad holder via the outlet opening. In addition, when the hot water is supplied under pressure to the pad holder, in some cases pressure leakages may occur. Such pressure leakages result in a less favorable flow of liquid through the form -retaining pad as a result of which the known form-retaining pad is not suitable to prepare beverages with good quality based on some specific substances. To this end a further aspect of the disclosure provides an assembly of a pad holder and a form-retaining pad in accordance with the disclosure, the assembly configured for use in a beverage preparation apparatus for preparing a beverage. The formretaining pad may comprise a flange where the bottom sheet and the top sheet are sealed to each other, and wherein the pad holder supports the form-retaining pad at the lower wall section of the circumferential wall of the stiffening body and the flange. This configuration between formretaining pad and pad holder limits a possible flow of prepared beverage between the circumferential wall of the form-retaining pad and the inner wall of the pad holder and urges the prepared beverage to the outlet opening of the pad holder. As such the prepared beverage exiting the pad holder is of a desired quality.

[0034] In a further aspect the disclosure also provides a process of manufacturing a stiffening body in accordance with the disclosure, wherein a pulp material is molded in a mold to form the stiffening body in one-piece with the top side having an open top area and the bottom side having an open bottom area, wherein the stiffening body is cured in the mold and released from the mold by mechanical force. As such the stiffening body is made in its required configuration with shape and openings solely by the molding step, obviating a need for any further material removal steps such as cutting or trimming of material to form the shape and openings. The process thus also does not require any spillage of superfluous material.

[0035] It will be appreciated that any of the aspects, features and options described in view of the methods apply equally to the systems and the described devices, computer program products. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above aspects, features and options can be combined.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0037] The disclosure will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in a drawing. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration. It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the disclosure that are given by way of non-limiting example.

[0038] In the drawing:

[0039] Fig. 1A shows a side view of a first embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0040] Fig. IB shows a cross-sectional side view of a form-retaining pad comprising a stiffening body of the first embodiment of the disclosure;

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a side view of a stack of stiffening bodies in accordance with the first embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0042] Fig. 3 A shows a side view of a second embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0043] Fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional side view of a form-retaining pad comprising a stiffening body of the second embodiment of the disclosure;

[0044] Fig. 3C shows a top view of the second embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure; Fig. 4 shows a side view of a stack of stiffening bodies in accordance with the second embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0045] Fig. 5 A shows a side view of a third embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0046] Fig. 5B shows a cross-sectional side view of a form-retaining pad comprising a stiffening body of the third embodiment of the disclosure;

[0047] Fig. 5C shows a top view of the third embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0048] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a form-retaining pad of the disclosure being placed on a pad holder;

[0049] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of an assembly of pad holder and form-retaining pad of the disclosure;

[0050] Fig. 8A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0051] Fig. 8B shows a cross-sectional side view of the fourth embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0052] Fig. 8C shows a top view of the fourth embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure;

[0053] Fig 8D shows a detailed view of the fourth embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure as shown in figure 8B; and

[0054] Fig. 8E shows a detailed view of the fourth embodiment of a stiffening body of the disclosure as shown in figure 8C.

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Fig. 1A shows a stiffening body of the disclosure in a first embodiment. The stiffening body 1 is molded one-piece from a pulp material and comprises a bottom side 2 with open bottom area 3, a top side 4 with open top area 5 and a circumferential wall 6 extending between the top side and the bottom side around a central axis of the stiffing body. The circumferential wall 6, top side 4 and bottom side 2 define a space 7 configured to contain at least a part of a soluble substance in use of the stiffening body in a form -retaining pad 20 as shown in figure IB. In the form-retaining pad 20 the stiffening body 1 is sealed with the bottom side 2 to a lower sheet 22, which closes the open bottom area 3, and with the top side 4 to a top sheet 23 which closes the open top area 5. Before use in a form-retaining pad the stiffening body 1 has the space 7 being accessible through the open top area 5 for receiving a bottom side 2 and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies. To prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack, the stiffening body comprises a local wall thickness increase 8 in the circumferential wall, here in the substantially vertical part of the circumferential wall extending between the bottom side 2 and the top side 4. That is, the vertical wall part 8 has a greater wall thickness than the rest of the circumferential wall extending between the open bottom area 3 and the vertical wall part 8 and extending between the open top area 5 and the vertical wall part 8. As shown in figure 2 when stacking the stiffening bodies, here shown as a stack with ten stiffening bodies 1, the local wall thickness increase 8 provides an upper edge of the vertical part 8 which forms a support part for supporting an abutting part formed by a lower edge of the vertical part 8 of a further stiffening body stacked thereon. Due to the local wall thickness increase 8 the other parts of the circumferential wall 6 of the stiffening body and the further stiffening body are kept at a distance from each other, i.e. do not abut or contact each other, thereby preventing a tightened fit between the stiffening bodies. The local wall thickness increase 8 enables the stiffening bodies to be stacked in a sufficient space saving manner and with a proper stack stability, while enabling a quick and easy denesting of each stiffening body from the stack. Figure 3A similarly shows a stiffening body of the disclosure in a second embodiment. The stiffening body 1 is molded one-piece from a pulp material and comprises a bottom side 2 with open bottom area 3, a top side 4 with open top area 5 and a circumferential wall 6 extending between the top side and the bottom side around a central axis of the stiffing body. The circumferential wall 6, top side 4 and bottom side 2 define a space 7 configured to contain at least a part of a soluble substance in use of the stiffening body in a form -retaining pad as shown in figure 3B. The space 7 is accessible through the open top area 5 for receiving a bottom side 2 and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies. To prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack, the stiffening body in this embodiment comprises a couple of notches 9 provided in the circumferential wall. As best shown in figure 3C each notch 9 protrudes into the space 7 in a direction transversely to the central axis and therefore acts as a spacing means to prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack as illustrated in figure 4. Some of the notches 9 are referenced in figure 4 for the two lower stiffening bodies in the stack. It is shown that the lowest stiffening body 1 in the stack has its leftmost notch 9 protruding into the space such that the stiffening body stacked thereon abuts with its circumferential wall on said notch 9. By being supported on the notches 9 some distance between the rest of the circumferential walls of the stacked stiffening bodies is provided, which assists in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies. In this embodiment five notches are provided with a first notch radially distanced 68 degrees from a second notch, which is radially distanced 72 degrees from a third notch, which is radially distanced 76 degrees from a fourth notch, which is radially distanced 70 degrees from a fifth notch, which is radially distanced 74 degrees from the first notch. This embodiment brings the likelihood of two consecutive stiffening bodies in a stack exactly nesting to a minimum as this would require a perfect radial alignment between the two consecutive stiffening bodies in the stack. However, fewer or more notches can be used, as well as different radial distances between the notches.

[0057] Figure 5 A similarly shows a stiffening body of the disclosure in a third embodiment. The stiffening body 1 is molded one-piece from a pulp material and comprises a bottom side 2 with open bottom area 3, a top side 4 with open top area 5 and a circumferential wall 6 extending between the top side and the bottom side around a central axis of the stiffing body. The circumferential wall 6, top side 4 and bottom side 2 define a space 7 configured to contain at least a part of a soluble substance in use of the stiffening body in a form -retaining pad as shown in figure 5B. The space 7 is accessible through the open top area 5 for receiving a bottom side 2 and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies. To prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack, the stiffening body in this embodiment comprises a couple of ribs 10 provided in the circumferential wall. As best shown in figure 5C each rib 10 protrudes into the space 7 in a direction transversely to the central axis and therefore acts as a spacing means to prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack. In this embodiment eight ribs are provided but fewer or more ribs are also possible. Each rib 10 extends from the bottom side 2 up to the top side 4 where an upper surface of each rib 10 forms an attachment area 21 configured for attaching a top sheet thereto in use of the stiffening body in a form-retaining pad. To this end the ribs preferably extend as far as possible into the space 7 in a direction transversely to the central axis so as to provide as much attachment surface for the top sheet as possible. The ribs in this embodiment have a rounded surface, but any other shape may be used that allows for the required draft angle for production by molding.

[0058] Figure 6 shows an example of a form-retaining pad 20 of the disclosure being placed on a pad holder 30, with figure 7 showing the assembly of such form-retaining pad 20 being placed on the pad holder 30. As can be seen in figure 7 the form-retaining pad 20 has a flange 21 with a free outer edge adjacent to which the bottom sheet 22 and the top sheet 23 are sealed to each other, and which flange 21 rest on an upper part of the pad holder 30. The pad holder 30 further supports the form -retaining pad 20 at the lower wall section of the circumferential wall of the stiffening body. This configuration between form -retaining pad 20 and pad holder 30 limits a possible flow of prepared beverage between the circumferential wall of the form-retaining pad and the inner wall of the pad holder and urges the prepared beverage to the outlet opening of the pad holder. As such the prepared beverage exiting the pad holder is of a desired quality.

[0059] Figure 8A,8B,8C,8D,8E similarly shows a stiffening body of the disclosure in a fourth embodiment. The stiffening body 1 is molded one-piece from a pulp material and comprises a bottom side 2 with open bottom area 3, a top side 4 with open top area 5 and a circumferential wall 6 extending between the top side and the bottom side around a central axis of the stiffing body. The circumferential wall 6, top side 4 and bottom side 2 define a space 7 configured to contain at least a part of a soluble substance in use of the stiffening body in a form-retaining pad. The space 7 is accessible through the open top area 5 for receiving a bottom side 2 and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies. To prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack, the stiffening body in this fourth embodiment similarly to the second embodiment comprises a couple of notches 9 provided in the circumferential wall. Each notch 9 protrudes into the space 7 in a direction transversely to the central axis and therefore acts as a spacing means to prevent sticking of the stiffening bodies in a stack, and / or to assist in easy denesting of the stiffening bodies in a stack. In this embodiment five notches 9A,9B,9C,9D,9E are provided with a first notch 9A radially distanced 68 degrees from a second notch 9B, which is radially distanced 72 degrees from a third notch 9C, which is radially distanced 76 degrees from a fourth notch 9D, which is radially distanced 70 degrees from a fifth notch 9E, which is radially distanced 74 degrees from the first notch 9 A. This embodiment brings the likelihood of two consecutive stiffening bodies in a stack exactly nesting to a minimum as this would require a perfect radial alignment between the two consecutive stiffening bodies in the stack. However, fewer or more notches can be used, as well as different radial distances between the notches. The circumferential wall in this fourth embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in that the circumferential wall lacks the step provided in the circumferential wall of the second embodiment and instead is shaped to be in conformity with a stepless inner surface of a suitable pad holder.

[0060] Herein, the disclosure is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the disclosure. It will, however, be evident that various modifications, variations, alternatives and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the disclosure. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged and understood to fall within the framework of the disclosure as outlined by the claims. The specifications, figures and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense. The disclosure is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location.

[0061] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Stiffening body for use in a form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage, the pad comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet enclosing a chamber containing a soluble beverage substance, wherein the top sheet is manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, and a bottom sheet, manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, but transmissive to a liquid in which the substance is dissolved, wherein the stiffening body has a top side having an open top area in use in the pad covered by the top sheet, a bottom side having an open bottom area in use in the pad covered by the bottom sheet, and a circumferential wall extending between the top side and the bottom side around a central axis of the stiffing body, wherein the circumferential wall, top side and bottom side define a space configured to contain at least a part of the soluble substance in use in the pad, wherein the space is accessible through the open top area for receiving a bottom side and at least a lower part of a circumferential wall of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body so as to enable stacking of a multitude of similarly shaped and sized stiffening bodies, and wherein the stiffening body is molded one-piece from a pulp material.

2. Stiffening body according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet of the form retaining pad are sealed to each other at a circumferential edge section, enclosing the stiffening body and forming a flange, wherein the stiffening body of the form retaining pad is accommodated in the chamber.

3. Stiffening body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circumferential wall has an inner face facing the space and an outer face facing an outside of the stiffening body, wherein the inner face comprises asupport part and the outer face comprises an abutting part, wherein the support part is configured to support an abutting part of a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body when in a stacked configuration, and wherein at least one of the support part and the abutting part has a spacing means configured to maintain in a stacked configuration of the stiffening body with a further similarly shaped and sized stiffening body a distance between the circumferential wall of the stiffening body and the circumferential wall of the further stiffening body.

4. Stiffening body according to claim 3, wherein the spacing means is formed by a non-uniform thickness of the circumferential wall, and / or a protrusion on the circumferential wall.

5. Stiffening body according to claim 4, wherein the spacing means protrudes into the space in a direction transversely to the central axis.

6. Stiffening body according to claim 5, wherein the spacing means extends in a radial direction around the central axis along at least a part of the circumferential wall.

7. Stiffening body according to claim 6, wherein the circumferential wall has at least one further spacing means provided at a radial distance from the spacing means.

8. Stiffening body according to claim 7, wherein the spacing means and the at least one further spacing means are provided at non symmetric radial positions with respect to the central axis.

9. Stiffening body according to claim 8, wherein the at least one further spacing means comprises at least two further spacing means provided at different radial distances from the spacing means.

10. Stiffening body according to claim 9, wherein each radial distance between two consecutive spacing means of all the spacing means is different.

11. Stiffening body according to any one of claims 4 - 10, wherein the spacing means is formed by a protrusion on the circumferential wall, and the protrusion is a rib extending from the bottom side in the direction of the top side.

12. Stiffening body according to claim 11, wherein the rib extends from the bottom side up to the top side wherein an upper surface of the rib forms an attachment area at the top side configured for attaching the top sheet thereto in use in the pad.

13. Stiffening body according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the circumferential wall extends diverging with respect to the central axis from the bottom side to the top side.

14. Stiffening body according to claim 13, wherein the circumferential wall comprises at least one step.

15. Stiffening body according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the circumferential wall comprises a lower wall section extending radially from the open bottom area to a central wall section, which central wall section extends to the upper side in a direction approximately parallel to the central axis.

16. Stiffening body according to claim 15, wherein the circumferential wall comprises a relatively sharp bend between the lower wall section and the central wall section.

17. Stiffening body according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the pulp material comprises an amount of an alkyl ketene dimer between 0.5% -2% weight percentage, and / or an amount of wet strength agent between 0.5% - 2% weight percentage, and a mixture of short cellulose fibers and long cellulose fibers between 90-99% weight percentage, and preferably with the short cellulose fibers and long cellulose fibers in approximately equal weight percentage quantities.

18. Stiffening body according to claim 17, wherein the short cellulose fibers are derived from hard wood and the long cellulose fibers are derived from soft wood.

19. Form -retaining pad for preparing a beverage comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet enclosing a chamber containing a beverage substance, wherein the top sheet is manufactured from a material non- transmissive to the substance, and a bottom sheet, manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the substance, but transmissive to a liquid in which the substance is dissolved, and comprising a stiffening body according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the top sheet covers the open top area and the bottom sheet covers the open bottom area.

20. Form -retaining pad according to claim 19, wherein the substance is a soluble product, for example a soluble coffee product, soluble milk product, including soluble plant -based milk product, diary creamer, non-diarycreamer, soluble tea product, or soluble chocolate product, and / or any combination thereof.

21. Form -retaining pad according to any one of claims 19 - 20, wherein the bottom sheet is sealed to the lower wall section of the circumferential wall of the stiffening body.

22. Form -retaining pad according to any one of claims 19 - 21, wherein the top sheet is sealed to an attachment area of the circumferential wall at the top side of the stiffening body.

23. Form -retaining pad according to any one of claims 19-21, wherein the stiffening body is accommodated in the chamber which is enclosed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet.

24. Form -retaining pad according to any one of claims 19 - 23, wherein the bottom sheet and the top sheet are sealed to each other at a circumferential edge section, enclosing the stiffening body.

25. Form -retaining pad according to claim 24, wherein the circumferential edge section at which the bottom sheet and the top sheet are sealed to each other forms a flange.

26. Form -retaining pad according to any one of claims 19 - 22, wherein the bottom sheet is provided between the substance and the stiffening body.

27. Form-retaining pad according to any one of claims 19 - 26, wherein the top sheet comprises a lower layer facing the stiffening body and an upper layer facing in an opposite direction.

28. Form -retaining pad according to claim 27, wherein the lower layer is made of or comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate, preferably poly(3- hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH).

29. Form -retaining pad according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the upper layer is made of cellulose or comprises cellulose.

30. Assembly of a pad holder and a form-retaining pad in accordance with any one of the claims 19-29, the assembly configured for use in a beverage preparation apparatus for preparing a beverage.

31. Assembly according to claim 30, wherein the form -retaining pad comprises a flange where the bottom sheet and the top sheet are sealed to each other, and wherein the pad holder supports the form-retaining pad at the lower wall section of the circumferential wall of the stiffening body and the flange.

32. Process of manufacturing a stiffening body in accordance with any one of claims 1-18, wherein a pulp material is molded in a mold to form the stiffening body in one-piece with the top side having an open top area and the bottom side having an open bottom area, wherein the stiffening body is cured in the mold and released from the mold by mechanical force.

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