Form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption

A pad for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption comprising:

• a soluble substance;
• a first covering having a top sheet that is non-permeable to the soluble substance and a bottom sheet that is non-permeable to the soluble substance, but permeable to the soluble substance dissolved in a liquid;
• and
• a stiffening body disposed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the stiffening body comprises a wall structure defining a plurality of compartments;
• wherein the soluble substance is provided within at least some of the plurality of compartments;
• wherein the stiffening body comprises a generally flat top surface and a contoured bottom surface such that the bottom comprises a bulge portion extending downward from a central portion of the stiffening body.

A pad for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption comprising:

• a soluble substance;
• a first covering having a top sheet that is non permeable to the soluble substance and a bottom sheet that is non permeable to the soluble substance, but permeable to the soluble substance dissolved in a liquid;
• and
• a stiffening body disposed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the stiffening body comprises a wall structure defining a plurality of compartments;
• wherein the soluble substance is provided within at least some of the plurality of compartments;
• wherein the stiffening body comprises a center support and an outer circumferential wall, wherein at least two annular rings define compartments extending in a circumferential manner between the center support and the outer circumferential wall, and
• wherein a first plurality of radial divider walls extend from the outer circumferential wall to the central support and a second plurality of radial divider walls extend less than the entire distance from the outer circumferential wall and to the central support.