Abstract: A powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus which combines a powdered beverage substance and water to produce a desired beverage, for example cappuccino, hot chocolate, as well as other beverages which may be provided in powdered form. The apparatus includes at least one hopper having a powdered beverage stirring and dispensing mechanism which stirs the powder to further prevent caking and to controllably dispense a desired quantity of powder from the hopper. A water dispensing system is provided with the apparatus to controllably dispense a quantity of water for mixing with a quantity of powder dispensed from the hopper. A mixing assembly communicates with the hopper and with the water dispensing system to combine powder and water. The mixing assembly includes a frothing mechanism extending into a whipping chamber which communicates with a mixing chamber to mechanically agitate the powder and water combined in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A grinder for grinding materials to produce a ground substance. The grinder includes a cabinet, a grinder motor retained in the cabinet, and a grinder mechanism coupled to the motor to grind the materials. A hopper is positioned in communication with the grinder mechanism to deliver materials for grinding. The container retainer is attached to the grinder for retaining a container in close proximity for capturing ground material dispensed thereby. An activation switch assembly is included with the grinder to selectively control the grinder and activate the grinder when a container is placed in a desired location. A substance settling assembly is included with the grinder for removing a container retained by the grinder to settle the substance as it is dispensed from the grinder to the container. A chaff retainer is provided for maintaining chaff included with the ground substance in mixture with the ground substance.

Abstract: A beverage brewing method for producing a brewed beverage having a serving temperature within a predetermined serving temperature range. A beverage brewing appliance includes a brewing apparatus for infusing a beverage brewing substance retained therein to extract a brewed beverage therefrom. The appliance also includes a first water source having a water heater coupled thereto for providing and delivering brewing water to the brewing apparatus within a predetermined range of brewing temperatures to produce a desired brewed beverage. The brewing appliance also includes a second water source for providing and delivering temperature reduction water to the brewed beverage within a temperature range which, when mixed with the brewed beverage results in a final beverage dispensed from the brewing apparatus within a predetermined serving temperature ranges.

Abstract: A sensing assembly which includes a sensing device. The sensor assembly is constructed for use with an automatic beverage apparatus. The sensing assembly is attached to a beverage reservoir and senses, by physical contact, a quantity of beverage retained in the reservoir. The sensing assembly provides information about the quantity of beverage retained in the reservoir. When coupled to a beverage brewing apparatus, the beverage brewing apparatus will automatically produce a predetermined quantity of beverage in response to conditions sensed by said sensing assembly.

Abstract: A dispensing control assembly for use with a grinding apparatus to controllably dispense coffee beans therethrough. The grinding apparatus includes a hopper in gravity feed relationship with the dispensing control assembly and a grinder positioned below the dispensing control assembly for grinding material dispensed therethrough. The dispensing control assembly includes a slide plate retained between the hopper and the grinder for selective movement between an open and a closed position. A moving mechanism is provided and coupled to the slide plate for moving the slide plate between the open position and the closed position. A baffle is also provided which extends over a portion of the slide plate facing the hopper with the baffle creating a void therebelow to facilitate movement of the slide plate into the closed position and avoid trapping coffee beans.

Abstract: A protection circuit for use with a hot water dispensing apparatus of the type which includes a reservoir and a heating element coupled to the reservoir for heating water retained therein. The protection circuit includes a conductivity detector coupled to the reservoir for detecting a desired quantity of water in the reservoir. A first sensor and a second sensor of the conductivity detector are coupled to the reservoir at spaced apart locations. A conductivity detector circuit is coupled to the first and second sensors and coupled to a control circuit of the hot water dispensing apparatus for preventing operation of the apparatus until a desired quantity of water is disposed in the reservoir.

Abstract: A heated water apparatus which includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of heated water and a controller for controlling the heated water apparatus. A controllable heater is coupled to the controller and the reservoir for controllably heating the water retained in the reservoir. A water sensor is coupled to the reservoir and to the controller for detecting the presence and absence of a desired quantity of water in the reservoir and providing a signal to the controller. The controller controls a water source which controllably admits water to the reservoir. The controller also controls an outlet valve coupled to the reservoir. The controller operates the inlet valve and the outlet valve to control the flow of water through the outlet valve in response to the presence and absence of water in the reservoir. When the water level is too low, the controller cycles the outlet valve for specific periods of time in order to allow the water level of the reservoir to catch up.

Abstract: A heated water apparatus which includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of heated water and a controller for controlling the heated water apparatus. A controllable heater is coupled to the controller and the reservoir for controllably heating the water retained in the reservoir. A water sensor is coupled to the reservoir and to the controller for detecting the presence and absence of a desired quantity of water in the reservoir and providing a signal to the controller. The controller controls a water source which controllably admits water to the reservoir. The controller also controls an outlet valve coupled to the reservoir. The controller operates the inlet valve and the outlet valve to control the flow of water through the outlet valve in response to the presence and absence of water in the reservoir. When the water level is too low, the controller cycles the outlet valve for specific periods of time in order to allow the water level of the reservoir to catch up.

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.

Abstract: The present invention envisions a water temperature processing system for reducing the temperature of water to a temperature of as low as 35 degrees fahrenheit. The present invention also envisions a water heating system as an element of the water temperature processing system for elevating the temperature of water to a temperature of 80-210 degrees fahrenheit. The water temperature processing system includes a warm water flow path and a cool water flow path. A warm water pump and a cool water pump are operatively associated with the respective warm water and cool water flow paths to move the water through the respective flow paths. The cool water flow path includes at least one outlet for dispensing water from the cooling system. The system includes at least one warm water and one cool water heat transfer section which communicates with the warm water and the cool water flow paths, respectively. Peltier heat transfer devices are positioned between the warm water and the cool water heat transfer sections.

Abstract: A beverage brewing appliance for producing a brewed beverage having a serving temperature within a predetermined serving temperature range. The beverage brewing appliance includes a brewing apparatus for infusing a beverage brewing substance retained therein to extract a brewed beverage therefrom. The appliance also includes a first water source having a water heater coupled thereto for delivering water to the brewing apparatus within a predetermined range of brewing temperatures to produce a desired brewed beverage. The brewing appliance also includes a second water source which delivers temperature reduction water to the brewed beverage within a temperature range which, when mixed with the brewed beverage results in a final beverage dispensed from the brewing apparatus within a predetermined serving temperature ranges.

Abstract: A coffee grinding apparatus which includes a coffee bean grinding mechanism and a weighing device associated with the grinding mechanism to weigh ground coffee. A receptacle is associated with the weighing device and positioned below the grinding mechanism for receiving ground coffee from the grinding mechanism. The weighing device generates an actual weight signal corresponding to the weight of the ground coffee dispensed into the receptacle. A selecting device is provided to allow a user to select a weight of ground coffee to be produced by the apparatus. A dispensing assembly may be associated with a whole bean hopper, the selecting device and weighing device are coupled to a control circuit which controls the grinding apparatus. The control circuit operates the dispensing assembly and/or the grinding mechanism as a function of a comparison of the actual weight signal and the selected weight signal.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a substance dispensing device and a brewing device. The brewing apparatus includes a receptacle for receiving a brewing substance from the substance dispensing device, a movable chute positioned between the substance dispensing device and the receptacle, and a water dispensing system operatively associated with the brewing device and selectively communicating with the receptacle for delivering water to a brewing substance retained therein. Additionally, a drive assembly is provided to operatively displace the water dispensing device relative to the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is positioned in communication with the receptacle, the chute is moved out of communication with the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is removed from communication with the receptacle, the chute is placed in communication with the receptacle.

Abstract: A tray assembly for use in receiving and retaining used moist brewing substances and the like from a beverage brewing apparatus and separating a liquid portion therefrom. The tray assembly is in communication with an entry port which deposits moist brewing substances therein. A drain line in the brewing apparatus carries separated liquids away from said tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray body, a liquid separation portion retained in said tray body for drawing off liquids from moist brewing substances, and a controllably sealable tray valve assembly attached to the tray body and operatively engaging the drain line for draining liquids from the tray assembly. A first area in the tray body between the entry port and the liquid separation portion communicates with the entry port and defines a receiving and retaining space. A second area in the tray body between the liquid separating portion and the valve assembly communicates with the tray valve assembly and defines a liquid collection space.

Abstract: A lid assembly for use with a beverage container which retains and dispenses beverages therefrom. The container includes a body having a reservoir chamber and a mouth communicating with the reservoir chamber. The lid assembly is cooperatively attachable to the body of the container for selectively closing the mouth. The lid assembly includes an exterior segment and an interior segment which are spaced apart and define a lid chamber therebetween. A breathing vent is provided in the exterior segment for communication between the outside atmosphere and the lid chamber. An anti-spill vent is provided with the vent for preventing leakage of liquid therethrough when the container is tipped. A second vent extends between the interior segment and communicates with the lid chamber for passing atmosphere between the reservoir chamber and the lid chamber.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a substance dispensing device and a brewing device. The brewing apparatus includes a receptacle for receiving a brewing substance from the substance dispensing device, a movable chute positioned between the substance dispensing device and the receptacle, and a water dispensing system operatively associated with the brewing device and selectively communicating with the receptacle for delivering water to a brewing substance retained therein. Additionally, a drive assembly is provided to operatively displace the water dispensing device relative to the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is positioned in communication with the receptacle, the chute is moved out of communication with the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is removed from communication with the receptacle, the chute is placed in communication with the receptacle.