Abstract: A cold drink system for chilling a liquid include a hopper for retaining a quantity of liquid and a hopper cover for covering a mouth of the hopper. A dispensing faucet is connected to the hopper for dispensing liquid therefrom. Structure is provided for locking the dispensing faucet to prevent actuation thereof by an unauthorized user. In addition, structure is provided for retaining the hopper cover on the hopper to deter an unauthorized user from attempting to remove the hopper cover from the hopper.

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.

Abstract: A beverage brewing substance holder for holding a beverage brewing substance, such as coffee, provided in a pouch or in a loose filter for use in brewing beverage can be attached to a beverage brewer. The holder includes an open-ended, cup-shaped body having a drain hole provided therethrough. A supporting structure is mounted within the body and the pouch or loose filter sits thereupon such that a gap is formed between the pouch or the loose filter and the drain hole. This prevents the formation of a vacuum between the pouch or loose filter and the body. A handle can be attached to one of two positions on the body. First and second pairs of opposed, elongated, horizontal flanges are formed on the body and slide along respective rails on the brewer to accommodate two different brewers.

Abstract: A beverage brewing filter structure used to retain a brewing filter and a beverage brewing substance. The 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 structure is generally a frame including a base, and a wall extending from the base to a top rim, thus defining a generally annular mouth. The frame defines open spaces therein. The wall is made up of a plurality of ribs, each of which has a first angled portion that extends from the base and a second angled portion that extends from the first angled portion to the top rim. The first angled portion of the ribs defines a smaller angle relative to the base than the second angled portion. The ribs of the wall extend radially inwardly to define a base which is positioned in a plane and has a plurality of gaps therethrough.

Abstract: A programmable dispenser which mixes a substance with water and dispenses a product. In one embodiment, the rate at which substance is dispensed is programmable. The programmable dispenser includes a substance dispensing device which dispenses the substance and a motor which is operably connected to the substance dispensing device. A controller is operably connected to the motor and programmed to operate the motor at a programmed speed to dispense substance at a pre-determined rate. A button is in communication with the controller, and the controller is configured such that the button is actuatable to change the programmed speed to a new programmed speed to provide that the controller subsequently operates the motor at the new programmed speed to provide that the substance dispensing device dispenses substance at a different rate.

Abstract: A brew funnel has a selector thereon which can be set to indicate a desired batch size and type of coffee. Sensors on an associated coffee grinder and on an associated coffee brewer are capable of sensing the structure to grind an appropriate amount of coffee and to brew an appropriate amount of coffee, respectively, when the brew funnel is mounted thereon.

Abstract: A beverage server assembly includes a base, a housing for holding a beverage which is positioned on the base, and a contact member between the base and the housing. The contact member is fixed to the base and is in electrical connection with the housing. The base is supported above a surface on which the beverage server assembly is positioned, such as a countertop, at a predetermined height by legs. Each leg has a foot attached thereto. Each rear leg of the base is secured to the surface by a bracket to prevent a customer from tipping the beverage server assembly towards the surface.

Abstract: A heated water dispensing apparatus has been described. The heated water dispensing apparatus includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of water, a selector for selecting a temperature of water and a volume of water to be dispensed, and a controllable dispense valve for automatically dispensing water from the reservoir. The heated water dispensing apparatus also includes a weighing assembly which generates a weight control signal relating to the volume of water dispensed through the dispense valve and at least one device outlet valve for providing heated water to a remote device. The heated water dispensing apparatus also includes a controller. The controller operates the dispense valve in accordance with the weight control signal so that a selected volume of water is automatically and accurately dispensed. The controller also operates the dispense valve to prevent dispensing of water through the dispense valve before water of a selected temperature has been produced.

Abstract: An automatic beverage brewing apparatus is described. The automatic beverage brewing apparatus includes a controllable brewing device and a controllable brewing substance dispenser communicating with the brewing device. The automatic beverage brewing apparatus includes a housing in which at least one receptacle is retained proximate the brewing device for receiving brewed beverage from the brewing device. A plurality of controllable dispense valves are provided for controlling the flow of brewed beverage from the brewing device to the receptacles. Each receptacle includes a controllable outlet valve for automatically dispensing brewed beverage from the receptacle and a controllable disposal valve for automatically emptying the receptacle of brewed beverage. Each receptacle is supported on a weight sensing device which generates a weight control signal relating to the weight of brewed beverage retained in the receptacle.

Abstract: A digital timer and method for controlling a length of a brewing cycle during which time a brewer brews a beverage. The digital timer includes a controller having an initial brew time stored therein. A switch is in communication with the controller, and the controller is configured to add to and/or subtract from the initial brew time when the switch is actuated. The method includes steps of providing a digital timer including a controller having an initial brew time stored therein, providing a switch in communication with the controller, and actuating the switch, where the controller is configured to add to and/or subtract from the initial brew time when the switch is actuated.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for heating a liquid, such as coffee. The assembly includes a container in which the liquid is retained, first and second electrodes associated with the container, an energy source with which the container can be engaged such that the first electrode comes into contact with the energy source, and a control circuit for supplying voltage from the energy source to the first electrode so that current will pass from the first electrode through the liquid and to the second electrode. Liquid in the container contacts the first and second electrodes and provides an electrical path from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Beverage servers for retaining beverages at a desired heated temperature. Prior art beverage servers have attempted to maintain the temperature of a brewed beverage retained therein in a variety of ways. One form of beverage server utilizes a heat resistant and heat conductive material for a beverage reservoir and places an exposed flame using a product such as gelled fuel thereunder to provide heat. One problem with this type of beverage server is that an exposed flame is presented to the customers and that the flame does not necessarily maintain a consistent or desired beverage temperature.

Abstract: Beverage servers for retaining beverages at a desired heated temperature. Prior art beverage servers have attempted to maintain the temperature of a brewed beverage retained therein in a variety of ways. One form of beverage server utilizes a heat resistant and heat conductive material for a beverage reservoir and places an exposed flame using a product such as gelled fuel thereunder to provide heat. One problem with this type of beverage server is that an exposed flame is presented to the customers and that the flame does not necessarily maintain a consistent or desired beverage temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a chilled or partially frozen beverage often referred to as a slush beverage. A variety of apparatus have been designed to produce chilled beverages as well as to produce beverages which are in a "slush" form. Some of these apparatus are referred to as "granita" machines. Such apparatus can be used to produce slush beverages from a variety of products including fruit juices, coffee-based beverages, tea-based beverages, as well as beverages containing alcohol. Such apparatus includes a chilling structure, and some form of blade or auger which moves relative to the chilling portion to strip the frozen product off and circulate the beverage along the chilling portion. Circulation of the beverage along the chilling portion helps to reduce the temperature of the beverage mixture thereby approaching a slush consistency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel splash guard which is positioned in a brewing funnel in close proximity to the handle of the funnel. The splash guard is a curved structure which extends over a portion of the mouth of the brewing funnel. The splash guard extends over a portion of the mouth of the brewing funnel, but not to such an extent as to interfere with the spraying of water into the brewing funnel, or the placing of filter supports, filters or brewing substance into the brewing funnel. The splash guard functions to deflect a slurry of water, brewing substance and brewed beverage in the funnel which is displaced toward the handle, and to direct the slurry back into the funnel instead of splashing out of the brewing funnel.