Abstract: A tea maker (54) is provided with a control system (116) that enables the tea to be intermittently drained of water to allow contact of the tea (52,26) with atmospheric oxygen several times during each brew cycle to enhance flavor and to eliminate the problems associated with seeping of the tea.

Abstract: A beverage brewer (20) with a programmable dispenser cycle dispenser valve controller (36) for controlling a dispenser valve (34) to intermittently open and close during a plurality of control periods of an intermittent dispense period (88) to selectively control the quantity of hot water that is dispensed without changing the overall duration of the dispense period (88). Each of the control periods (CP1-CP20) has a duty portion during which the dispenser valve is open that is selectively varied to brew either greater or lesser amounts of beverage without varying the overall dispense period (88). Alternatively, the number of control periods is selectively changed to change the overall dispense period (88) without changing the quantity of beverage by appropriate changes to the duty portion.

Abstract: A twin brewer system (30) with a pair of brewers (30A, 30B) each with a controller (158) for controlling the application of electrical power to a hot water heater, disables the application of electrical power to the heater (154) of one brewer (30A, 30B) in response to actuation of a start brew switch of the one brewer (30A, 30B) while electrical power is being applied to the heater (154) of the other brewer (30A, 30B). The controllers also respond to a hot water quantity sensor (164, 168) and a responsive delay circuit for disabling dispensing of hot water in response to actuation of the brew start switch (50) until a sufficient quantity of hot water is in a hot water dispenser tank (152) needed for the brew cycle. Indication lamps indicate when the brew cycle is being delayed and when brewing is not being performed. Actuation of a single emergency stop switch (138) stops hot water dispensing of both brewers (30A, 30B).

Abstract: An insulating, serving urn assembly(10) with an extra closure assembly(40) releasably mounted within the neck(28) of an urn body(22) for reducing the loss of heat from within the urn during brewing of beverage into the urn assembly(10) by passing the beverage into the urn body through a relatively small drain opening(73) of a brew guide(46) mounted to an extra closure member(42) that closes off the inner opening(26) of the urn. After,brewing is complete but before serving from the urn assembly(10), the beverage is additionally insulated by a lid(36) that fits over the outer opening(24) of the urn assembly(10) and a brew guide closure(76) that is mounted to the underside(36B) of the lid(36). During service a relatively small, extra closure service opening (50) located adjacent to a spout (34) in the extra closure member(42) is opened with movement of a rotatably mounted door(44) to an open position to enable pouring out of the beverage while still covering most of the inner opening(26).

Abstract: A beverage brewing system includes a brewer (30) and a serving cart assembly (62, 70) having a cart (74) for supporting a serving dispenser (64) for rolling movement and having cart guide members (68A, 68A') cooperating with brew cycle members (66A, 66A') to guide the serving cart assembly into proper alignment with an inlet nozzle of dispenser beneath a beverage outlet (60) of the brewer (30) for direct receipt of freshly brewed beverage into the dispenser (66).

Abstract: A brewing system with a brewer (30) and urn support member (64A) for movement of the urn (66) between a first position (FIG. 4B) in which the urn is aligned beneath the brewer (30) for receipt of beverage from the brewer (30) and a second position (FIG. 4C) in which the urn (66) in a position removed from alignment beneath the brewer (30) to facilitate removal of the urn (66) away from the support by the support member (64A). The filled urn (66) is moved to the removal position (FIG. 4C) before being removed from the urn support member (64A).

Abstract: A brewing system (30) with a beverage holding tank (124) and a spray assembly (300, 302, 304) for spraying hot water onto interior surface (314) of the tank (124) to clean the tank (124). The hot water is passed to a dispenser urn (66) by both a brew valve (176) and a by-pass valve (170) only so long as a flush switch (54') is held in an actuated position, and the hot water is then pumped from the dispenser urn (66) to the holding tank spray assembly (300, 302, 304).

Abstract: A twin brewer system (30) with a pair of brewers (30A, 30B) each with a controller (158) for controlling the application of electrical power to a hot water heater, disables the application of electrical power to the heater (154) of one brewer (30A, 30B) in response to actuation of a start brew switch of the one brewer (30A, 30B) while electrical power is being applied to the heater (154) of the other brewer (30A, 30B). The controllers also respond to a hot water quantity sensor (164, 168) and a responsive delay circuit for disabling dispensing of hot water in response to actuation of the brew start switch (50) until a sufficient quantity of hot water is in a hot water dispenser tank (152) needed for the brew cycle. Indication lamps indicate when the brew cycle is being delayed and when brewing is not being performed. Actuation of a single emergency stop switch (138) stops hot water dispensing of both brewers (30A, 30B).

Abstract: A brewing system (30) with a water dispensing brew valve (176) for controlling the passage of water through the beverage ingredient (186) and a by-pass valve (170) for passage of hot water through a brew basket (180) but past the beverage ingredient (186) having a controller (158) with a brew start switch (50) for controlling the brew valve (176) also has a flush switch (54") for opening independently of the brew switch (50), the brew valve (176) and also the by-pass valve (170) to flush a dispenser urn (66).

Abstract: A semiautomatic beverage maker (10) with a valve actuator or handle (12) for manually moving a valve (14) from a stop, closed position to a brew, open position through means of a mechanical linkage (20, 32, 36). The dispenser valve is held in the open position for a preselected brew time period by means of an electromagnet (53) which is energized through a timer switch (48) until the end of the time period, and then a coil spring (50) returns the dispenser valve (14) to the open position. In an emergency, the dispenser valve actuator (12) can be used to manually return the dispenser valve (14) to the open position before de-energization of the electromagnet (53) at the end of the brew time period. The dispenser valve actuator (12) also blocks removal of the ingredient holder, or brew basket (38) from its proper brew position when the dispenser valve (12) is open during the brew cycle.

Abstract: Hot water in a supply tank (38) of a coffee maker, (20) is dispensed through a shut-off valve including a tube (84) at a uniform rate for a preselected time period until the open inlet (84C) of the tube (84) is raised above the surface level (110) of the water to not only stop the flow but to also drain and steam clean the tube (84) of any residual water to prevent the formation of mineral and lime deposits which undesirably alter the flow rate. A brewing strength by-pass valve assembly (80) for passing diluted hot water to an urn (24A or 24B) is drawn from a supply temporarily collected at the bottom of a drain chamber (76) received into the top (76A) of the drain chamber (76) as a stream through air to pressure isolate the strength control by-pass valve (80) as well as a mixing nozzle (116A), so that adjustment of the strength control will not create a variation in back pressure to alter the uniform flow rate.