Abstract: A pod for preparing a beverage comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid sidewall; a rigid or semi-rigid upper surface containing one more apertures forming an inlet of the pod; a lower surface formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pod; the sidewall, upper surface and lower surface together defining a storage volume extending from the inlet to the outlet and containing a water-soluble composition, or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; wherein the rigid or semi-rigid sidewall maintains a physical separation of the filtering material and the upper surface during use.

Abstract: The releasable strap connector of the type used on parachute harness, has a female connector and a male connector; one or more prongs of the male connector are insertable in fitting pockets in the female connector; a rocking bar has cut-away portions intersecting said pockets so as to interlock with correspondingly cut-away portions of the respective prongs; a manipulating yoke lever is connected to the bar for rocking it into a releasing position where the cut-away portion of the bar is aligned with the pockets and the bar is withdrawn from the cut-away portions of the prongs thereby releasing the male member.