FORM-RETAINING PAD FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE SUITABLE FOR CONSUMPTION, ASSEMBLY OF A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE COMPRISING A PAD HOLDER AND SUCH A FORM-RETAINING PAD, A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A FORM-RETAINING PAD, PRE-FORM STIFFENING BODY FOR USE IN SUCH A METHOD, A METHOD FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE SUITABLE FOR CONSUMPTION USING SUCH A FORM-RETAINING PAD OR SUCH AN ASSEMBLY AND A KIT OF PARTS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SUCH FORM-RETAINING PADS.

摘要

A form-retaining pad is disclosed comprising a covering (13) having a top (15) and a bottom sheet (16), and a stiffening body (17) placed between the top and the bottom sheet. The stiffening body has an annular circumferential wall (91) having a curved cross-section and a bottom wall part (98) extending at least substantially parallel to the top and bottom sheet. The bottom wall part has a circular edge defining an open bottom area (100) and the bottom sheet is sealed to an outer surface of the bottom wall part of the annular circumferential wall, such that the bottom sheet and the outer surface of the bottom wall part to which it is sealed form a smooth surface. Furthermore an assembly of a beverage preparation machine comprising a pad holder for receiving such a form-retaining pad, a method of manufacturing such a form-retaining pad, a pre-form stiffening body for use in such a method, a method for preparing a beverage using such a form-retaining pad or such an assembly and a kit of parts comprising a plurality of said form-retaining pads are disclosed.