Abstract: An electric automatic water heating apparatus for drip type beverage, e.g., coffee makers has a housing provided with a reservoir composed of a material of low thermal conductivity arranged to supply water by gravity to a sealed heating chamber having an inlet communicating with the reservoir and an outlet for discharging heated water for use. The sealed heating chamber includes an open top, cup-shaped, metallic casting having an electric rod-type resistance heating element embedded therein, and a metallic cover member closing the open top of the casting for confining steam generated during heating to the heating chamber. The cover is secured to and forms a bottom surface portion of the reservoir exposed to the water in therein. The cover serves as a support for a bimetallic member which controls the flow of water through the inlet into the heating chamber in response to the temperature in the heating chamber.

Abstract: A semi-automatic beverage brewing apparatus for brewing a cup to a pot of beverage such as coffee. The apparatus passes a selected quantity of water after heating the water, through a preselected quantity of beverage making material such as freshly ground coffee to brew the coffee. The beverage brewing apparatus includes a filter, a beverage making material holding device, a beverage making material quantity selector and transfer system for automatically measuring and placing a selected quantity of beverage making material from the material holding device into the filter, a liquid holding system, a liquid heater, a liquid quantity selector, heating and transfer system for automatically measuring, heating and placing the selected quantity of liquid on the beverage making material, and an outlet for passing the brewed liquid after it passes through the beverage making material and filter into a cup or pot.

Abstract: The hot water container of a beverage making device is provided with a removable cover sealed thereto and has arranged therein an electric immersion heating element controlled by a running thermostat and a safety thermostat for heating a volume of cold water admitted into the container through an inlet tube extending through the cover and controlled by a timed inlet valve, the hot water being discharged from the container at a brewing station through a syphon tube also extending through the cover.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus includes a hot water reservoir from which heated water is dispensed in predetermined serving volumes through a beverage filter to a serving beaker. A volume of cold water equal to a predetermined serving volume is admitted to a lower inlet zone of the reservoir, heated by an electric resistance heating element within the reservoir and dispensed in a volume equal to the serving volume from an upper outlet zone of the reservoir coincident with the introduction of cold water into the inlet zone. The reservoir has a volume greater than twice the predetermined serving volume so that a volume of resident heated water is contained in the central brew zone thereof. A temperature sensing element, e.g., thermistor, is disposed within the lumen of a hollow heat conductive tubing extending to a predetermined location in the brew zone at or near the center of the reservoir and produces a temperature control signal continuously indicative only of the temperature of the water in the brew zone.

Abstract: A dispensing unit for espresso coffee machines produces an infusion by "cooking" and optimum exhaustion of the coffee powder. In this dispensing unit, the hot water supply duct to the filter holder is fitted with an air accumulator and is put into communication alternately with the hot water inlet and with the outlet of a three-way solenoid valve.

Abstract: Conventional automatic drip coffee makers require about one minute of manual involvement to commence a brewing cycle.The automatic drip coffee maker herein disclosed makes a full decanter of coffee within 11/2-2 minutes following the one minute manual involvement.The automatic drip coffee maker of the present invention uses preheated water but only the amount required for a decanter of coffee (1/2 gallon) making it unnecessary to employ a large reservoir. The concept, in a preferred embodiment, is to commence the brewing cycle by an almost instantaneous dump of the preheated water to a transfer tank which, in turn, meters heated water to the grounds at such a rate as to insure almost immediate contact between all the coffee grounds and all the hot water. The dump time for preheated water from the preheated reservoir to the transfer tank is less than the time required to fill a receptacle with cold water.

Abstract: A beverage making appliance operable automatically or manually, and also providing a hot water faucet. The appliance has a cold water basin located over a hot water tank with a cold water tube extending down into the hot water tank from a basin drain opening whereby cold water discharges into the lower portion of the hot water tank and displaces hot water either through a faucet, or a spray head onto the contents of a brew funnel. When operated in its automatic mode, cold water is delivered to the basin through a conduit connected with a supply of cold water under pressure. The conduit has both flow control and solenoid valves whereby a predetermined volume of cold water is delivered on each actuation of a timer. A level control circuit, together with a water level sensing probe disposed within the hot water tank, also actuates the solenoid valve to maintain a predetermined water level in the tank as hot water is drawn through the faucet.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing and dispensing beverages having a hot water tank (3) with an outer tap and a magazine (12) for containers filled with various additives, e.g. tea and coffee extract, and having each a device for feeding out a certain portion of its contents. According to the invention, a separate or affiliated tank (5) is provided within said main tank (3). Said affiliated tank has its own outlet pipe (8), which can be shut off by a shut off device (7). Below the mouth of said pipe, a filter funnel (9) and a receptacle (10) can be inserted.

Abstract: A coffeemaker in which heated water infuses coffee grounds held in a basket, includes a spreader, which is associated with the basket, and which is adjustable so as to enable relative proportions of the water bypassing and not bypassing the grounds to be adjusted. None of the water bypasses the grounds at one selected position, for four dry measures of coffee grounds and four liquid measures of heated water, whereas a small portion of the water bypasses the grounds at another selected position, for more dry measures of coffee grounds and more liquid measures of heated water.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a coffeemaker with a variable brew strength apparatus which comprises a base which contains a water reservoir and a heater and which supports a coffee carafe. The base supports a variable brew strength apparatus directly over the coffee carafe. The variable brew strength apparatus includes a water restrictor member which is rotably mounted on the cover of a coffee basket member. The water restrictor member and the coffee basket member, in combination, form a valve which either admits heated water to an inner basket which is mounted in the coffee basket and which contains ground coffee, or causes a portion of the heated water to bypass the inner basket and enter the coffee basket to mix with and dilute coffee brewed in the inner basket. The coffee basket supports a special coffee scoop which has a tabular indicia relating the number of cups of coffee desired, the brew strength desired, and the number of scoops of coffee required.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing hot beverages particularly tea comprises a water container having a water heater and a water discharge conduit. Below the container is a strainer device for holding a supply of beverage solids and below this strainer is a receiver for the finished beverage. An automatically controlled deflector is provided for directing heated water from the water conduit firstly into the strainer to mix with the solids and filter into the beverage receptacle. After a certain time the deflector automatically is moved to direct the supply of heated water straight into the receptacle. Control of the deflector is either by way of a float in the beverage receptacle or by way of a timing mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid valve for a beverage-making appliance such as a coffee brewer, for example, which valve comprises a housing which contains a valve actuating means and which is closed at its inlet end by a filter, the filter being dome-shaped and having a small central aperture whereby air bubbles in a fluid within the valve may escape upwardly and out so that the valve may be used in appliances subject to microwave radiation.

Abstract: The coffee maker includes a reservoir and a heating chamber, having a vent tube, connected to the reservoir for receiving water therefrom, a heater for the heating chamber, and a coffee making area connected to the heating chamber. A control means is operated by a limited rise of temperature in the heating chamber to close the vent tube. A starter switch to control power supply to the coffee maker and a thermostatically controlled shut-off means is provided to open the starter switch and shut off power to the coffee maker when the heating chamber has no water therein and excessive temperatures are being realized in such heating chamber.A modified coffee maker eliminates the vent tube closure and provides for releasing a small quantity of water to a heating area and repeatedly heating small volumes of water for pumping action to discharge to a coffee making area, the invention also covering such method of making coffee by repeated heatings of small confined volumes of water to steam producing temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making drip-type coffee beverage having improved flavor and aroma, and low bitterness characteristics. The method employs an extraction portion consisting essentially of warm 120.degree. F.-175.degree. F. water to infuse or extract roasted and ground coffee by the filter-drip method to issue a relatively strong filtered coffee extract into a container. A bypass-dilution portion of water, preferably 190.degree. F. to 205.degree. F., is added directly to the relatively strong filtered coffee extract to dilute the relatively strong filtered coffee extract to a predetermined beverage concentration at a preferred temperature. Also, a novel two-temperature split-water-stream coffeemaker for making coffee beverages by this method is provided.

Abstract: A fluid valve for utilization in a beverage-making appliance such as a coffee maker subject to microwave energy comprising a valve housing containing the operative parts of the valve, and a metal casing enclosing at least a portion of the housing and having spaced encircling radiation shields between which the adjacent portions of the appliance are disposed, the shields forming a choke to prevent penetration of microwave energy such as could cause arcing and consequent damage to the appliance and to the valve itself.

Abstract: Cold water is supplied through an inlet water line from a source under pressure to a cold water basin from which it is siphoned to a hot water tank therebelow. The hot water is siphoned out of the tank for brewing coffee extract. A valve in the inlet water line is closed when the level of the cold water in the basin engages a probe or collar the elevation of which can be adjusted. Under conditions of low water pressure the siphon to the tank may start before the shutoff level in the basin is reached. Water may continue to flow without that level being reached. The level of the hot water then rises above the siphon out level of the hot water siphon and engages a probe resulting in closure of the valve to prevent further flow through the hot water siphon and overflow of the tank. Should the level of the water in the basin rise above the shutoff level, a float switch is opened to close the valve.

Abstract: An automatic coffee brewer including a water heating tank, a funnel-like holder for ground coffee, a siphon device for dispensing a predetermined amount of hot water from the tank through the grounds holder, and a bypass valve for directing approximately 40% of the hot water around the grounds and directly to an unheated, thermo-insulated beaker so that the resultant brew has extracted about 60% of the soluble solids in the coffee to yield a better tasting brew free of bitterness and astringency. The use of the thermo-insulated beaker enables the brewed coffee to be kept hot without further heating for several hours and avoids bitterness derived by continuous heating.

Abstract: A coffeemaker having a ground coffee basket, a brewing water spreader positioned on top of the ground coffee basket and a brewed coffee container positioned below the basket wherein a unique brew control cap is positioned on the spreader for controlling the amount of heated brewing water that is permitted to flow to the coffee grounds within the basket or is diverted through a by-pass passage to the brewed coffee container without extracting coffee from the ground coffee. A plurality of spaced openings are formed in a wall of the cap for selective registry with one, two or more spaced openings that are formed in a wall of the spreader so that movement of the wall of the cap with respect to the spreader will uncover one, two or more of the openings to permit more or less heated water to flow to ground coffee within the basket to thereby regulate the strength of the brewed coffee within the coffee container that is positioned below the coffee basket.

Abstract: A coffee-making apparatus of the pour-over type wherein the liquid for brewing coffee is contained in an electrically heated state within an upright container and is siphoned out when cold liquid is introduced into the container; the apparatus having a hot water container, the cover of which covers and seals the same while at the same time providing a support for a water inlet, a siphon outlet, a vent, and all the electrical components necessary for heating the liquid.

Abstract: A valve assembly with a water dispersing and spreading system preferrable for use in drip-type beverage maker comprising a housing having a passage extending therethrough with the passage having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween. A thermostatic dish-shaped snap-acting bimetallic disk constitutes the valve member and is positioned in the passage in engagement with the valve seat thereby to block communication through the passage while in the first curvature position and while in the second curvature position to move clear of the valve seat to permit the flow of fluid therepast. The disk is movable from the first curvature position to the second and back again upon changes in temperature of the disk. A spring member biases the disk toward the valve seat in sealing engagement when the disk is in its first curvature position.

Abstract: An automatic beverage-making apparatus is described which has a stand and a receptacle and water may be supplied to solid material such as ground coffee in the receptacle by a pipe means within the stand, said pipe means being provided with a heater to heat the water and means for controlling the throughput of water, the time for which water flows through the pipe means and the energisation of the heater respectively.