Abstract: An apparatus for pressing coffee has a base and housing supporting a filtercup and a pressing cylinder. The pressing cylinder has a forked end engaging a cylindrical body and attached to a rocker arm. A counterweight is attached to an end of the rocker arm. The cylindrical body has a rack engaging a ring gear activated by a lever. Movement of the lever causes movement of the cylindrical body and pressing cylinder. A pinion attached to the cylindrical body moves along a second rack. Movement of the pinion is translated to a bevel gear pair and a pin between the prongs of the forked end.

Abstract: A press and sip device including a straw and sieve coupled together to permit pressing solid particles to infuse flavor into a freshly brewed beverage consumable from the container in which it was prepared. The straw and sieve unit can be used in containers of various sizes through the use of gasket attachments. The sieve is provided with openings that allow the beverage to receive flavor from the solid particles while maintaining the particles separate from the beverage when the beverage is consumed. The straw is provided with apertures in the side wall of the straw that limit intake of beverage to the liquid above the sieve separated from the solid particles. The device is contemplated as having detachable elements to facilitate cleaning and storage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.

Abstract: A pod for mixing an amount of a dispersible material with water. The pod may include a pod body having a lower aperture and a poppet positioned within the aperture. The poppet may be sized so as to seal the lower aperture until a predetermined pressure is reached within the pod body.

Abstract: A coffee machine, particularly an espresso machine, comprising a brewing device (6) for producing and dispensing coffee via a coffee dispensing nozzle (11), as well as a hot water boiler (2) having a fresh water supply line (1) and a hot water line (10) coming out into a brewing chamber (5) of the brewing device (6), and a control unit (4). The coffee dispensing is controllable by said control unit (4). A heating element (13) is disposed on the hot water line (10) between the hot water boiler (2) and the brewing chamber (5), by means of which heating element the water flowing from the hot water boiler (2) into the brewing chamber (5) is able to be brought to brewing temperature. The brewing temperature can thereby be maintained at a virtually constant value whereby improving the quality of the coffee dispensed.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus for infusing compacted ground coffee in a grounds cup at a brewing station with heated water under pressure. At a brewing station, a piston head with an active seal that is spaced from the grounds cup wall during motion, extends into the grounds cup. When the piston head begins to compact the ground coffee it activates the seal to form a sealed upper end of a brewing chamber. Hot water is admitted to the brewing chamber to produce the coffee. When the brewing cycle is completed, the piston head displaces further to force additional coffee from the grounds. Then the piston head retracts to allow the infusion chamber assembly to be removed for cleaning.

Abstract: An improved coffee brewer and brewing method are provided for producing brewed coffee with improved flavor. The coffee brewer includes a brew basket having jet ports connected to a source of heated water and positioned to deliver hot water streams into the brew basket at a location beneath the level of coffee grounds contained therein. These hot water streams turbulently agitate and stir the coffee grounds to produce a substantially fluidized bed of water-borne coffee grounds for improved flavor extraction and enhanced aroma. This fluidized bed is directed against one or more mesh filter elements forming a wall portion of the brew basket for outward passage of the thus-brewed coffee which is then directed into an underlying carafe or the like. In one preferred form, a portion of the brew basket may incorporate a window to permit visual observation of the fluidized bed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for infusing a liquid with a flavoring or a scent. The method and apparatus may be used to produce soups and beverages, including tea-based beverages which use various flavoring agents, and also scented products. Further, the method and apparatus allow for fine adjustments to infusion conditions such as submersion time and temperature, and preparation (such as chopping or grinding) of the flavoring or scent agents, to allow for the consistent, repeatable preparation of a high quality flavored or scented liquid.

Abstract: An infusion beverage brewing system includes a container and an infuser. The infuser is positioned in a liquid, such as hot water, and has an infusing chamber for containing infusible materials, such as tea leaves. A plunger includes a piston with a peripheral seal and flap valves. After a brewing time has elapsed, an individual pushes on an operator to move the piston past a perforated wall portion of the infusing chamber. When the piston reaches a solid wall portion at the bottom of the infusing chamber, the flap valves open to allow liquid to escape. However, small apertures aligned with the flap valves prevent the passage of the infusible material. Consequently the infusible material is isolated from the liquid when the piston reaches a solid bottom wall portion of the infusing chamber.

Abstract: A mug (10), specifically a vessel (20) incorporating a plunger assembly (30), that includes a number of fingers (42), is improved by positioning the fingers downwardly to contact the side wall of the vessel. The improvement also includes the following; a minor diameter portion (58) of the vessel sized to fit a motor vehicle cup holder. An open distal ended liner (62) intimately embracing a storage container compartment (60) formed on an inside surface of the outer shell minor diameter portion of the vessel. A closure base (66) removably engages the liner and encloses the bottom of the vessels storage container compartment. The closure base includes a number of inwardly facing spacer legs (68) that removably retain a storage container (72) including a detachable lid (74). The storage container provides a receptacle for such items as coffee grinds, tea leaves, sugar and creamer etc. such that the items may be conveniently available with the mug.

Abstract: A method for preparing beverages, includes supplying water from a water source to a tapping point, supplying powder for beverages from a container to the tapping point, characterized in that the supplying of powder for beverages is performed without the influence of gravitational force. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Device having a cover to be positioned on a vessel with an interior wall. A shaft extends through a transverse passageway in the cover. A basket for holding a flavoring substance is mounted to the end of the shaft. The basket can thus be raised and lowered within the vessel through action of the shaft. A continuous lip of flexible polymer surrounds the periphery of the basket, for engagement with the interior wall of the vessel. With flavoring substance in the basket, liquid is poured into the vessel in such a way as to retain air in the space between the basket and the bottom of the vessel. The basket is pushed downwards, causing at least part of the air retained in the space between the basket and the bottom portion of the vessel to displace the flavoring substance while the air rises within the vessel, resulting in improved infusion of the flavoring substance.

Abstract: A stirring coffee press for brewing beverage grounds, such coffee or tea, while simultaneously compressing and agitating the grounds in a single container. The stirring coffee press includes a container with a fitted lid, a plunger assembly slidably and rotatably received within the container and being attached to a hollow shaft which extends out through an opening in the lid, and a blade assembly attached to a shaft that extends and exits through the hollow shaft of the plunger assembly. The hollow shaft of the plunger assembly has a handle attached to the end of the hollow shaft, wherein the plunger handle is adapted to be received and retained into the aperture in the lid, thereby preventing the plunger assembly from rotating. The blade assembly shaft has a knob attached to its open end allowing the blade assembly to be freely rotated.

Abstract: A filtering device for an espresso maker includes a coffee powder basket and a filtering mechanism. The coffee powder basket includes a coffee powder receiving section for receiving coffee powders and a compartment below the coffee powder receiving section. The compartment includes an outlet for guiding coffee out of the coffee powder basket. The filtering mechanism includes a filtering plate and a swirl-creating device for creating swirl. Coffee passing through meshes of the filtering plate flows through the swirl-creating device and forms swirl to provide an atomized diffusion effect, allowing the coffee to encompass air and thus form coffee foams.

Abstract: A steeping apparatus is for steeping a solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage. A container is provided to hold the solid food material and the liquid. The container forms an opening, through which the solid food material and the liquid are inserted into the container, and a spout at a peripheral of the opening, through which the flavored beverage is poured out of the container. A plunger is movable with respect to the container between a first plunger position and a second plunger position. A plunger moving element coupled to the plunger such that the plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position as the plunger moving element is moved. The plunger includes a filter element that, as the plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position, permits the flow of liquid therethrough but that substantially inhibits the passage of solid food material therethrough.

Abstract: An extraction device for producing coffee for a coffee machine is equipped with a brewing cylinder (2) for receiving coffee powder. The brewing cylinder is reciprocably adjustable between pre-determined positions along its axial direction in co-operation with a drive mechanism (4). Two pistons (31, 32) that are coaxially adjustable relative to one another, are located in the brewing cylinder (2). The brewing cylinder (2) incorporates a cylinder section (20), and an additional part (22) is also envisaged. The additional part (22) is moveably located at an end of the brewing cylinder (2) that can be closed by the first piston (31) and equipped with a filler opening (24) for the insertion of the coffee powder. In this way the length of the extraction device can be shortened.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to brew coffee are described. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: releasing water from at least one water inlet onto ground coffee in a stationary coffee filter. The ground coffee is automatically agitated while the water is being released using an agitator that is connected to an agitator motor to aid flavor-enhancement during the brewing process by helping to assure that the coffee grounds are uniformly mixed, saturated and blended with hot water and to substantially maintain an evenness of depth of the ground coffee. The water, now containing extracted coffee chemicals, is collected in a coffee vessel.

Abstract: A capsule magazine unit having a holding device for capsule magazine unit, into which the capsule magazine unit can be releasably inserted, such as of an espresso machine. The capsule magazine unit can comprise at least one essentially vertical capsule magazine tube that is suitable for holding capsules of coffee or other beverage or food forming components stacked one above another and can have a lateral capsule removal opening at the bottom. A locking ring, which is arranged around the capsule magazine unit, can be displaced essentially vertically with respect to the capsule magazine unit. At least one locking-ring lifting element on a holding device for holding the capsule magazine unit can be provided that is suitable for acting on the locking ring.

Abstract: This practical new type deals with water treatment technology. It is applied to the field of human health care and to the water supply system for living beings that depend on water. Its features are: Thermostat Sleeve 2 is installed between Outer Casing 1 and Inner Flask 6. Along the circumference of Thermostat Sleeve 2, a number of rectangular slots are made perpendicular to the circumferential plane. Permanent Magnet 5 and Magnetic Conductor 4 are installed in the rectangular slots of Thermostat Sleeve 2. Electric Motor 9 is mounted on Outer Cover Base 18. Mounted on the shaft of Electric Motor 9, there is Worm 19 and Worm Gear with Shaft 20; Stirrer 22 is installed on Worm Gear with Shaft 20. The advantages of this device include the fresh structure and the evident effect: Drinking the active water in hospitals resulted in a total effective rate 100%, and applying to plant growing increased the production by 40˜103%.

Abstract: A coffee machine (10) comprises a removable brewing unit (18), in which ground coffee powder is compacted in a brewing chamber along a main axis of the brewing unit (18) between a movable lifting bottom and a plunger that can be displaced toward the lifting bottom. Pressurized hot water is pressed through the compacted coffee powder. Afterwards, the lifting bottom and plunger are displaced together along the main axis in order to push the remaining filter cake out of the brewing chamber whereby ejecting it transversal to the main axis. The aim of the invention is to provide a coffee machine of the aforementioned type with a simplified and space-saving design as well as with an easier accessibility for cleaning and maintenance purposes. To these ends, the brewing unit (18) is designed so that it can be pushed into the coffee machine (10) from the front towards the back with the main axis parallel to the direction of insertion.

Abstract: A coffee brewer including a feed head for supplying pressurized brewing water to a perforated platen pressed against a packet of coffee bean grind to force such fluid in a substantially uniform flow pattern through the packet toward an outlet from a supporting tray.

Abstract: The invention concerns a percolator unit with mobile infusion chamber and detachable without using tools. It consists of a horizontal unit comprising three elements, a fixed part including a base, the powering component, the driving component and the injection piston (1); a movable slide bearing the coffee flow conduit and a locking front plate (9); a mobile part including an infusion chamber (2), a counter-plunger (3) and an articulated scraper (4, 18) whereof the movements are actuated by the movements of the infusion chamber generated by two tie rods (7) actuated by a screw (11) driven by a gear motor (12). The invention in designed for producing, in fully automatic conditions and without human intervention, a hot beverage such as expresso type coffee, that is delivered and dispensed to the consumer immediately after being percolated.

Abstract: A coffee bean container for an automatic coffee maker comprising a receptacle (2) for storing coffee beans, with an output shaft (4) via which coffee beans in the receptacle (2) can be supplied to a grinding mill. The coffee bean container has a coupling ring (7) disposed coaxially to the output shaft (4) for connecting the coffee bean container (1) to an automatic coffee maker. The coffee bean container (1) has a closure unit (12) for closing the output shaft (4) which has at least one closure element (13, 14). The at least one closure element (13, 14) is supported about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the output shaft (4) and pivotable between an open and a closed position. The closure unit (12) includes a mechanical drive which mechanically couples the closure element(s) (13, 14) to a rotational movement of the receptacle (2) which moves the closure element(s) to the open position or closed position.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grinds, and a water passage between the reservoir and the brew basket. The water passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. A rotating paddle is removably disposed in the brew basket to stir coffee grinds in the basket while heater water is supplied to the brew basket.

Abstract: The hot coffee mixing device comprises one embodiment having a hollow cylindrical tube with a bottom end with liquid outlet(s) thereon which rests upon the bottom surface of the carafe when in use. The top end of the device has a liquid inlet which is located in close proximity to the center of the carafe and the lid of the carafe. The liquid inlet and outlet(s) are connected by a channel. Another embodiment of the hot coffee mixing device is suspended from the lid of the coffee carafe and comprises a hollow cylindrical tube having a bottom end with liquid outlet(s) thereon, not resting upon the bottom of the carafe, and the top end of the device has a liquid inlet and means for supporting the device on the lid of the carafe. In yet another embodiment, the hot coffee mixing device may be either free standing on the bottom of the coffee carafe or suspended from the lid of the coffee carafe or the coffee carafe itself when in use.

Abstract: An apparatus for the brewing of a beverage by transmission of an aqueous fluid through a sachet containing a beverage brewing ingredient. The apparatus includes one or more injectors to inject the aqueous fluid into the sachet during the brewing and a clamp for the sachet. The clamp has one or more members that are movable to open and close the clamp, the members having inner surfaces which in a closed position of the clamp define a cavity adapted to substantially enclose and support the sachet during the brewing. The members further define a beverage exit pathway in a lower part of the cavity wherein the inner surface of at least one clamp member includes at least one deformable region mounted on a support that is movable while the clamp is in the closed position. The shape of the cavity or of the exit pathway can be changed while the clamp is in the closed position to provide a desired brewing configuration of the sachet.

Abstract: System for preparing hot beverages in automatic vending machines, of the known type of hot beverage vending machines, and especially for the preparation of coffee, having a distribution chamber (6), a shaft (5) which by one of its ends connects rotatably, a pair of movement transmitting connecting rods (4). The shaft (5) is guided by a first pair of through side guides (8) materialized in the side walls (25) of the assembly body (1) of the whole system, whose pair of grooves (8) has a first horizontal section (9) and a second section (10) inclined with respect to the second production preparation position. A second guiding shaft (11) collaborates in the guiding of the distribution chamber (6) by a second pair of side guides (12) materialized in the side walls (25) of the assembly body (1) of the whole system.

Abstract: Device for preparing a coffee drink having a visually appealing crema layer comprises a container for receiving flavor-containing materials and allowing it to interact with pressurized hot water to produce a coffee drink, an orifice for converting the coffee drink into a high speed drink jet, and a cyclone channel located below the orifice and adapted to interact with the jet to generate a cyclone zone therein during preparing the coffee drink. The cyclone zone stays alive by constantly drawing air in from atmosphere to emulsify with the coffee drink within the cyclone zone and constantly driving the resulting emulsion out of the cyclone zone as a result of the momentum of the jet. The emulsion separates into a coffee drink layer and a crema layer on top of the coffee drink upon being received in a cup.

Abstract: Device and method for making beverage from flavor-containing materials comprises a body connected to a container for allowing the formation of a dispersion of flavor-containing materials in liquid and the extraction of the flavor-containing materials to produce a beverage, a porous filter connected to the body and having a first surface for contacting the dispersion, filtration openings for allowing the beverage in the dispersion to pass through but blocking the flavor-containing materials and a second surface in communication with a beverage outlet from which the beverage may be poured or drunk, and a cling-on chamber on the body adapted to form a vacuum therein to suck to the interior surface of the container, thereby allowing the container to be tilted to generate a liquid head to drive the beverage out of the container through the filtration openings.

Abstract: A combined centrifugal force (X+Y) is produced in a container (8) when the container on a distal end of an arm (3) circles around a main rotary shaft (2) of the arm and simultaneously rotates on its own rotary shaft (6) in harmony with the circling motion thereof. The starting ingredients for a food/beverage product are received in the container and subjected to the combined centrifugal force, so that the ingredients are processed into the food/beverage product. Various types of elements such as a sieve-like capsule member (10) detachably mounted in the container (8), a small concave-convex portion provided in an appropriate inner surface of the container (8), and/or a raised floor member (15) provided with a pair of a radial blade (12) and its corresponding radial slot (14) detachably mounted in the container are used to enhance the processing operation.

Abstract: A domestic machine for cappuccino includes a bottom vessel (A), enclosing a coffee holding funnel (B), screwed to a top container (C) provided with seal, filter and a central tube (D), for the upflow of the coffee, on which there is slidably put an outer tube (E) of greater diameter so as to obtain an interspace between the two tubes (D, E), the bottom end of the outer tube (E) carrying a filter (M) to emulsify the milk through a rapid reciprocating motion while the top end is closed by an automatic-opening valve (F) which puts the vessel (A) in communication with the outside when the machine begins to cool down.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grinds, and a water passage between the reservoir and the brew basket. The water passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. A rotating paddle is removably disposed in the brew basket to stir coffee grinds in the basket while heater water is supplied to the brew basket.

Abstract: An infuser vessel (1) for containing solid particles (2) while immersed in a liquid, such as loose tea leaves in hot water, where the perforated infuser vessel (1) includes a manually movable piston (7) operated with a flexible wire (11) topped with a manual grip (12) extending upwardly from the liquid, whereby tea leaves (2) within the vessel (1) may be manually agitated to increase the speed and efficacy of infusion, while the manual grip (12) remains high and dry above the liquid.

Abstract: A device for preparing of mocha coffee is disclosed. The device comprises a cooking vessel, an electrical heating body electrically insulated supported relative to the cooking vessel, however, thermally coupled to the cooking vessel, and a temperature sensor. A motor driven stirrer rod (3) protrudes into the cooking vessel (2). A blade (4) of the stirrer rod (3) is effective for the stirring of the mocha coffee and is disposed immediately above the heating body (5).

Abstract: A milk foaming structure adapted to a coffee maker includes a steam tube, an outer sleeve, and a leak-proof gasket, wherein, a first steam outlet at the lower end of the steam tube, a base plate to the outer sleeve, a second steam outlet on the base plate, a milk suction on the wall of the outer sleeve above the base plate and a cool air suction on the upper wall of the outer sleeve, and a leak-proof gasket in the steam tube to be inserted into the outer sleeve above the cool air suction characterized by providing a plurality of disturbance ribs on the base plate and the wall of the outer sleeve close to the milk suction to faster produce more foamed milk.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dispensing predetermined quantities of dry products simply, reliably, accurately and with an appropriate amount of care so that the product being dispensed is not unduly damaged. The present invention includes a plurality of hoppers, and so is capable of dispensing more than one type of product without forcing the user to go through a reloading step.

Abstract: An infuser vessel (1) for containing solid particles (2) while immersed in a liquid, such as loose tea leaves in hot water, where the perforated infuser vessel (1) includes a manually movable piston (7) operated with a flexible wire (11) topped with a manual grip (12) extending upwardly from the liquid, whereby tea leaves (2) within the vessel (1) may be manually agitated to increase the speed and efficacy of infusion, while the manual grip (12) remains high and dry above the liquid.

Abstract: A machine for brewing tea. The machine has a housing, a vessel for receiving leaf tea and a hot water supply that supplies hot water to that vessel. The leaf tea is physically agitated within the vessel to maximise the rate and extent of infusion and the resulting infusion is siphoned out of the vessel before it is dispensed.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus for an electric coffee maker includes a plunger unit and a sleeve unit, which can be driven by a driving unit to move horizontally on a machine base. When an unsealed chamber is defined among a coffee-discharging unit, the plunger unit and the sleeve unit, ground coffee beans can be fed into the unsealed chamber. Subsequently, a sealed chamber is defined among the coffee-discharging unit, the plunger unit and the sleeve unit such that the ground coffee beans are received within the sealed chamber, thereby permitting flow of hot water into the sealed chamber. Finally, the plunger unit and the sleeve unit are separated from the coffee discharging unit, thereby permitting dropping of consumed ground coffee from a space between the coffee-discharging unit and the assembly of the plunger unit and the sleeve unit.

Abstract: A coffee maker having a centrifugal brewing system. The system includes a basket having a bottom and sides extending upwardly therefrom. The sides define multiple vertical ports that extend upwardly from the bottom of the basket. The basket rotates at low angular velocities, preferably less than about 150 RPM, to extract coffee. Extracted coffee exits the basket through the ports.

Abstract: Device and method for making beverage from flavor-containing materials comprises a body connected to a container for allowing the formation of a dispersion of flavor-containing materials in liquid and the extraction of the flavor-containing materials to produce a beverage, a porous filter connected to the body and having a first surface for contacting the dispersion, filtration openings for allowing the beverage in the dispersion to pass through but blocking the flavor-containing materials and a second surface in communication with a beverage outlet from which the beverage may be poured or drunk, and a cling-on chamber on the body adapted to form a vacuum therein to suck to the interior surface of the container, thereby allowing the container to be tilted to generate a liquid head to drive the beverage out of the container through the filtration openings.

Abstract: A machine for brewing tea. The machine has a housing, a vessel for receiving leaf tea and a hot water supply that supplies hot water to that vessel. The leaf tea is physically agitated within the vessel to maximise the rate and extent of infusion and the resulting infusion is siphoned out of the vessel before it is dispensed.

Abstract: A steeping apparatus is for steeping a granular solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage. The apparatus includes a container to hold the solid food material and the liquid. A plunger is movable vertically with respect to the container between an upper plunger position and a lower plunger position. The plunger includes a filter element that, as the plunger is moved from the upper plunger position to the lower plunger position, permits the flow of liquid therethrough but that substantially inhibits the passage of solid food material therethrough. A buffer element is situated above the plunger and is movable with respect to the container from an upper buffer element position to a lower buffer element position. When the buffer element is at the lower buffer element position, the granular solid food material is substantially decoupled from the flavored beverage.

Abstract: Provided is a cup-beverage automatic vending machine which can supply beverages in a sanitary manner by additionally installing an apparatus for generating functional water such as ozone water or electrolyzed water in a high concentration to a conventional automatic vending machine. The automatic vending machine includes a water supplier for supplying drinking water, a plurality of ingredient containers for storing beverage ingredients, a mixing tub for mixing the drinking water supplied from the water supplier and the beverage ingredients supplied from the ingredient containers, a discharge duct through which the mixed beverage is discharged, and a functional water generator for generating functional water in the water supplier by facing electrodes provided to operate in water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated drip-type coffee or beverage making machine with all automatic bean grinding apparatus and an automatic cleaning apparatus. The invention also incorporates improvements and features such as a projection or boss within the device which improves the operating efficiency of the bean grinding feature, an improved blade configuration which improves grinding efficiency, including a unique blade arrangement employing a plurality of blades of different lengths, and an improved lid for the coffee or beverage container which acts as an insulator, a moving and sealing cover to prevent ground material from escaping during the grinding process, a water tank insulating compartment, a double-walled grinding basket lid to aid in insulation and spreading of hot liquid, and a damping member for reducing the vibrations associated with motor operation.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dispensing predetermined quantities of dry products simply, reliably, accurately and with an appropriate amount of care so that the product being dispensed is not unduly damaged. The present invention includes a plurality of hoppers, and so is capable of dispensing more than one type of product without forcing the user to go through a reloading step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refill of a pulverulent foodstuff that can be dispersed in a liquid medium that has been compacted into a solid form that can be abraded to form a powdered granules, flakes, or chips, and to a process for manufacturing the refills. These refills are used in a device for the on demand preparation of beverages or sauces from water-dispersible foodstuffs. The method of making the beverages or sauces represent another embodiment of the invention. The device includes one or more pressing units that urge one or more solid refills of a water-dispersible foodstuff towards one or more abrading devices so that the refill contacts the abrading device and the abrading device abrades the refill to provide an amount of powdered foodstuff that is collected in a collector and combined with water to provide the beverage.

Abstract: An automated coffee making process that uses a multi-stage combination coffee brewer and grinder that produces coffee of superb aroma and taste. The coffee making process is controlled by the consumer by means of a control panel located on the front of the coffee maker. Using the control panel, the consumer can select the time the coffee making process begins and the strength of the coffee prepared. The coffee making process is a closed loop cyclic process comprising a coffee making cycle and a self-cleaning cycle. The cleaning cycle cleans the filter and the cooking section of the coffee maker which ensures a delicious cup of coffee every time. The coffee maker comprises a motor section, a can section, a grinding section, a cooking section, and a pot section. The freshly prepared coffee is brewed in the cooking section. After a period of time that is selected by the consumer, the coffee residing in the cooking section is discarded, the coffee maker is cleaned, and freshly brewed coffee is prepared.

Abstract: A device for preparing of mocha coffee is disclosed. The device comprises a cooking vessel, an electrical heating body electrically insulated supported relative to the cooking vessel, however, thermally coupled to the cooking vessel, and a temperature sensor. A motor driven stirrer rod (3) protrudes into the cooking vessel (2). A blade (4) of the stirrer rod (3) is effective for the stirring of the mocha coffee and is disposed immediately above the heating body (5).

Abstract: A piston-type coffee maker is disclosed having a cylindric container, a lid, a piston with piston rod and a handle, where the piston is made as a filter for the ground coffee. The piston coffee maker is adapted for making a single cup of coffee and for keeping the temperature of the infusion fluid at a suitable level during preparation of the coffee. The piston coffee maker is also adapted to be manufactured at low cost. The walls, lid and bottom of cylindrical container are made heat isolating. An upper rim of the cylindrical container has a locking member that cooperatively engages a corresponding locking member on the lid.