Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of use for producing beverages. The apparatus includes components and methods for facilitating beverage production applying water or other liquid in combination with a brewing substance and controlled aeration and pressurization of a mixing vessel or column. The aeration of the water and brewing substance can be accomplished with a vacuum system, a positive pressurization system, and a combination of such systems. The apparatus, systems, and methods can be used with a variety of beverage making devices such as a device which might be used to controllably produce volumes of beverage to a reservoir. The methods include controllable aeration and pressurization of the vessel for brewing which may include controlling extraction time, steep time, active controllable agitation of the brewing substance, as well as other brewing characteristics, features, and actions.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for controllably dispensing a liquid beverage concentrate for use in dispensing a beverage. The beverage may contain liquid beverage concentrate in combination with a liquid dilution ingredient such as water and may also include one or more additional ingredients. This system, method, and apparatus provides more precise control of the quantity of beverage concentrate dispensed by operating a pump used to dispense the concentrate based on the number of pulses of concentrate dispensed. A calibration is made to determine the measure of concentrate in each pulse. This volume per pulse is recorded and stored in a controller to controllably dispense a precise volume for a specific type of concentrate based on a predetermined recipe retained in the controller for each drink, type, and volume of the finished beverage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method of use for producing beverages. The apparatus includes at least a modular brewing mechanism. Also, the system includes a reservoir for retaining a volume of beverage produced by the brewing mechanism. The system includes controls for dispensing a single cup of beverage while producing multiple cycles of beverage for transfer to the reservoir. The system also includes controls for monitoring freshness of beverage, controllably disposing of beverage, and controlling production of single cup or batch production of beverage. The method and apparatus includes controllable pressurized brewing in a column or chamber using a controllable piston moving in the chamber and which may include controlling steep time, pressurization, extraction time, active controllable agitation of the brewing substance, as well as other brewing characteristics.

Abstract: A brewer, system, and method of use for producing and dispensing a beverage. The apparatus, system, and method of use includes a receiver for receiving a brewing substance container. The receiver receives the container, positions it for infusion with heated water, and then positions the container for removal from the receiver. The present apparatus, system, and method minimizes the drive mechanisms associated with the apparatus and improves the control and reliability of the apparatus. The apparatus facilitates collection and dispensing of beverage produced in the receiver and removal of the brewing substance container from the receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method and apparatus for controllably grinding coffee beans for use in an espresso machine. The disclosure includes a system, method and apparatus for controllably adjusting the grinder to maintain a desired tolerance for the espresso produced by the espresso machine. The system, method and apparatus include monitoring of at least one of several espresso related parameters to monitor whether the espresso is being brewed within a desired tolerance or set of tolerances. The system, method and apparatus provide feedback to an automatically adjustable grinder to at least one of increase or decrease the grinding time so as to produce more or less ground coffee.

Abstract: A mixing device has a cavity within a body with an inlet for an ingredient. A water inlet is located in the cavity of the body such that the water inlet and the ingredient inlet impinge upon one another to mix the fluids within a chamber located within the cavity. The mixture then dispenses downstream through an outlet. The chamber is located upstream of the water inlet in order to facilitate the mixing process.

Abstract: A beverage brewer having a water flow control system for controlling the flow water through the system during a brewing cycle. The water flow control system is related to the spray head used in the brewer. The system can be calibrated based on the spray head used with the system and the calibration information can be used during the brewing process. An information device may be provided on the spray head to communication information to the brewer to control the brewing process. The brewer may be provided with a reader to read the information from the spray head. A system which can be used with a brewer, including all of the aforementioned information associated with the spray head for use in controlling the water flow during a brewing cycle. The system can be provided with the brewer or retrofitted with an existing brewer.

Abstract: A grinding machine for use in grinding materials, the grinding machine includes a grinder assembly for receiving material. At least one removable hopper is removably positionable on the grinding assembly for dispensing material to the grinder assembly. The removable hopper is positionable on the grinder assembly in a generally non-vertical direction. A passage defined in the hopper is cooperatively positionable in communication with the grinding assembly for allowing movement of material from the hopper to the grinder assembly. A device carried on the hopper is positionable in an open position when the hopper is on the grinder assembly and is positionable in a closed position when the hopper is removed from the grinder assembly.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for controllably adjusting characteristics of a beverage produced by a beverage system. The characteristics of the beverage may include the strength, flavor, concentration of various flavor components as well as other characteristics. A control is provided for access by a user to adjust the characteristics to a desired level. The user may increment or decrement the level of the characteristics in response to personal preferences. The control provides an interface to control the beverage system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in an automatic espresso brewer. The extraction assembly includes components and methods for controllably extracting espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. The components, assemblies, and methods facilitate improved control and operation of the extraction assembly and improve the reliability of the extraction assembly. The brewing substance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. Compacting force is monitored through at least one sensor carried on the extraction assembly to provide a signal to a controller. A predetermined compacting force may be programmed into the system for all brewing cycles or dependent upon the brewing substance used. The pair of pistons operates relative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process. The pistons provide compacting force and boundaries within the chamber and facilitate removal of a spent brewing substance puck at the end of the brewing cycle.

Abstract: A system as disclosed herein uses a cold or unheated water source such as a reservoir or a pressurized inlet feed line, and a heated water reservoir. The unheated water reservoir is pressurized with a pressurizing apparatus communicating with the unheated water reservoir. Such a pressurizing apparatus may include an air pump, bladder or piston arrangement as well as other pressurizing apparatus. The pressurizing apparatus is controllable to push water from the unheated water reservoir to the heated water reservoir. As a result of the pressurization and displacement of the unheated water, heated water is then displaced and forced from the heated water reservoir. Heated water from the heated water reservoir is dispensed to the spray head and over the beverage brewing substance such as coffee for brewing.

Abstract: A beverage making apparatus having structures and methods to facilitate programming of the apparatus with parameters suitable for a pre-determined brewing substances. The beverage making apparatus has a water delivery system for delivering water to a brewing substance holder containing a brewing substance. A temperature adjusting system is provided for adjusting the temperature of water in the water delivery system. A controller is provided for controllably operating the apparatus, the controller further being programmable with characteristics suitable for predetermined brewing substances.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus is provided for heating a liquid and is operable either by foreign or domestic voltages. The apparatus may have a heating element that couples directly to the voltage source, regardless of whether the voltage source is foreign or domestic. The apparatus also may have a power supply that couples directly to the voltage source, regardless of whether the voltage source is foreign or domestic. The power supply outputs a DC voltage that may be coupled to various other components of the apparatus either directly or after subsequent processing.

Abstract: Beverage making equipment, water heating equipment, and methods for using such equipment which use heated water and dispenses heated water from a heated water reservoir. The apparatus includes a water line extending from the heated water reservoir to a dispensing point, the line having a positive slope between the reservoir and dispensing point. A vent tube may also be used communicating with and coupled to the line with a return passage communicating with the vent and reservoir. The method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir involves dispensing water from the reservoir at one level and delivering water to a dispensing point at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir. the method may also include providing a vent tube coupled to and communicating with the line for removing gas which evolves from water passing through the line and returning the gas to the reservoir.

Abstract: A temperature control system and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a beverage contained within a beverage server. The temperature control system enabling a user to control of a plurality of attributes of temperature of a beverage from the making of a beverage until the dispensing and disposal of the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus including a soluble beverage system and a liquid flavor dispensing system. The liquid flavor dispensing system can add liquid flavor to water flowing through a heated water manifold for combination with beverage material dispensed from the soluble beverage system. The liquid flavor dispensing system and soluble beverage system are cooperatively positioned and controlled to combine liquid flavor, water, and soluble beverage material for controllably producing a variety of beverages.

Abstract: A mixing device and method for mixing at least one first ingredient and at least one second ingredient. The device includes a body which has a wall defining a cavity. A first inlet communicates with the cavity for introducing the first ingredient and a second inlet communicates with the cavity for introducing the second ingredient. An outlet is provided in communication with the cavity receiving the mixed first and second ingredient which have been mixed in the cavity. The ingredients are mixed by introducing one ingredient as a stream and the second ingredient as a forcefully introduced stream. An area upstream of the ingredients is provided for mixing ingredients. Once mixed the ingredients must flow through the body before reaching the outlet. Multiple mixing devices can be cascaded to produce additional variations and mixing methods. The device can be in the form of a kit for retrofitting on existing devices such as beverage dispensers.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump assembly and system that facilitates reliable and efficient engagement and removal of a flexible tube. A stator is pivotally retained on a structure and cooperatively operated by a lever arm and cam to engage and disengage the stator from the tube and a corresponding rotor. The stator pivots at a point distal from a point of rotation of the rotor and the lever arm moves about a fixed rotation axis to engage and disengage the stator with the tube relative to the rotor.

Abstract: A brewing system uses a pressurizing apparatus for providing pressure to the system to controllably dispense heated water from the system for brewing. A method of brewing in which a pressurizing apparatus is associated with a water source, controllably pressurizing the water source, controllably dispensing by way of the pressurizing apparatus, water from the water source to use in a brewing process.

Abstract: A beverage server and method of use for use as a stand alone server or in combination with at least one of a beverage maker and server power station. Contacts are provided on the server conductive coupling to the beverage maker or the station. The server is configured to preheat a reservoir in the server at least during one of prior to or during dispensing of beverage into the dispenser. The brewer is configured to automatically initiate a brewing cycle in response to pre-determined conditions, such as upon beverage in the server decreasing below a pre-determined level. The brewer is configured to detect whether the server is in position relative to the brewer and is configured to dispense beverage only if the server is detected. The server is configured to prevent dispensing of beverage if a pre-determined time period has expired, in order to avoid dispensing beverage with an expired pre-determined freshness period.