Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus, method and kit for use with a beverage producing device. Included are a fitting and an insulating tube for insulating water being introduced into a heated water tank from heated water retained in the tank. Use of an insulating tube helps to reduce the heat transfer between the heated water retained in the tank and the water being introduced to the tank.
Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method of use in making beverages. The apparatus includes components and structures for making beverages by mixing heated water or other liquid and a beverage making substance in combination with controllable evacuation, pressurization, or both of a mixing vessel. The method includes controllable brewing using a vacuum, positive pressure, or both to control one or a combination of active controllable agitation of ingredients, steep time, pressurization, extraction time, agitation pulsing, dispensing pulsing as well as other numerous other beverage preparation characteristics and controls.
Abstract:
A beverage brewing filter structure used to retain a brewing filter and a quantity of beverage brewing substance. The brewing filter structure is designed to create a consistent bed depth and a plurality of wicking points in order to give a more even extraction of the beverage brewing substance and a better taste profile over other standard filter structures. The brewing filter structure is generally an integral filter and includes a base and a wall, which extends from the base to a top rim and defines a generally annular mouth and lip of the funnel. In the brewing filter structure, the wall operates as a sidewall of the brewing funnel and is generally continuous, without open spaces. The base of the brewing filter structure is formed from a plurality of flanges, which generally extend radially inwardly toward a center portion of the base, the tips of which terminate and create wicking points proximate to a drain aperture. The top portions of the flanges and wicking points are generally oriented in a common plane but may also define a surface which is at least partially upwardly conical. The bottoms of the flanges generally rest upon the bottom surface of the brewing funnel, which provides stability and support for the base, and thus follow the same angle that the bottom surface has from the wall, or sidewall, to the drain aperture.
Abstract:
A spent beverage brewing substance disposal device for use with a beverage brewing apparatus. The disposal device is connected to the beverage brewing apparatus for receiving a slurry of spent beverage brewing substance and liquid. The disposal device includes a housing having a delivery port communicating with a drain conduit of the beverage brewing apparatus for receiving the slurry therethrough. A foraminous structure is retained in the housing and positioned for receiving the slurry. The foraminous structure allows a liquid portion to drain therethrough while retaining the solid or particulate matter of the slurry. A pressurizing apparatus is coupled to the housing of the disposal device so as to pressurize the interior chamber defined by the housing to expedite the separation of the liquid portion from the solid portion. Liquid which is drained from the slurry passes through the foraminous structure and into a drain. The housing is removable from the drain so as to facilitate easy emptying of the drained portion of the spent beverage brewing substance. Seals are provided between a cover of the housing and the housing and drain so as to seal the housing against increased internal pressure induced by the pressuring apparatus. A pump is also provided to drain the liquid portion from the device.
Abstract:
A flow control assembly (20) for use in conjunction with a funnel assembly (22) of a brewing system. The flow control assembly comprises a body (28) which has a magnetic portion (26) and a stopper (24). The body is desirably attached to a portion of the funnel assembly such as a basket (48) contained within the funnel assembly by a couple (42). The flow control assembly further includes a magnetic actuator (90) and a controller (104) connected to the brewing system for controllably displacing the stopper relative to an outlet aperture in a wall of the funnel assembly.
Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus for brewing a brewing substance. The apparatus including a liquid conduit (18) for supplying a brewing liquid, a liquid permeable container (28) for retaining the brewing substance and allowing the brewed liquid to pass through, a spray member (20) for delivering the brewing liquid from the liquid conduit to a brewing substance and discharging the brewing liquid into the liquid permeable container, a liquid flow modifier (52) for varying the flow rate of liquid at the spray member, and a control member (44) operably connected to the liquid flow modifying member for causing the liquid flow modifying member to vary the liquid flow rate. The alteration of the discharge of the liquid from at least a first spray pattern to at least a second spray pattern facilitating mixing of the brewing liquid and brewing substance within the liquid permeable container.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a novel tea brewing funnel for prolonging the steep time of a brewed beverage. The funnel has a sump in its bottom surface having a drain aperture therein. A delay mechanism is provided in the funnel and formed of a housing having top and bottom openings and an orifice near the bottom opening. A cap is fitted over the top opening and a filter assembly is fitted into the orifice. The filter assembly allows brewed beverage into the housing while excluding any brewing substance. The bottom of the housing is inserted into the drain aperture so that the filter assembly rests in the sump and the housing sits within the funnel. A tube assembly is positioned within the housing through the drain aperture and connects to the housing, connecting the delay mechanism to the funnel. When in use, brewed beverage is formed in the funnel. Brewed beverage flows through the filter assembly and rises in the housing at the same rate as does brewed beverage within the funnel. When brewed beverage within the housing reaches a height higher than that of the tube assembly within the housing, the brewed beverage enters the tube and drains from the funnel. Once the brewed beverage begins to drain out of the funnel through the delay mechanism, the remainder of the brewed beverage within the funnel is drained through the delay mechanism by a siphon process.
Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method of use in making beverages. The apparatus includes components and structures for making beverages by mixing heated water or other liquid and a beverage making substance in combination with controllable evacuation, pressurization, or both of a mixing vessel. The method includes controllable brewing using a vacuum, positive pressure, or both to control one or a combination of active controllable agitation of ingredients, steep time, pressurization, extraction time, agitation pulsing, dispensing pulsing as well as other numerous other beverage preparation characteristics and controls.
Abstract:
An infusion container (30) for use with a brewer (20). The infusion container (30) includes a body portion defining at least a portion of a cavity therein. At least a portion of the body being liquid permeable. The infusion container liquid permeable portion facilitates brewing a beverage by allowing water to pass through the infusion container. The infusion container may be an individual structure which can be placed in and removed from the holder (30). Additional components or group of components for use with the beverage holder (30). The infusion container provides structures and methods facilitating convenient use of a brewer which allows the user to use the type of substance and quantity of substance of their choice and efficiently clean the substance holder (30).