Abstract: A portable beverage dispensing container comprises a housing and an internal beverage holding tank positioned in and contained within the housing. The internal beverage holding tank is configured to receive and store a beverage, and the internal beverage holding tank is constructed from a translucent material. The housing includes an opening through a rear surface thereof, such that light from a light source (which is installed at a brewing station) can be directed through the opening and through the internal beverage holding tank, such a light pattern is projected on a sight glass window on a front surface of the housing that provides a visual indication of provide a visual indication of the level of the beverage in the shuttle, along with a visual indication of the status of the brewed beverage.

Abstract: A portable beverage dispensing container comprises a housing and an internal beverage holding tank positioned in and contained within the housing. The internal beverage holding tank is configured to receive and store a beverage, with a dispensing nozzle on an external surface of the housing in fluid communication with the internal beverage holding tank. The housing includes one or more openings defined through a surface thereof, such that heated air can be introduced into the housing and into a space defined between the internal beverage holding tank and the housing. A satellite brewing system includes such a portable beverage dispensing container, along with a brewing station with a heater and a fan for generating heated air. When the portable beverage dispensing container is positioned at the brewing station, the heated air is directed into the space defined between the internal beverage holding tank and the housing of the shuttle.

Abstract: A portable beverage dispensing container comprises a housing and an internal beverage holding tank positioned in and contained within the housing. The internal beverage holding tank is configured to receive and store a beverage, and the internal beverage holding tank is constructed from a translucent material. The housing includes an opening through a rear surface thereof, such that light from a light source (which is installed at a brewing station) can be directed through the opening and through the internal beverage holding tank, such a light pattern is projected on a sight glass window on a front surface of the housing that provides a visual indication of the level of the beverage in the shuttle.

Abstract: A portable beverage dispensing container comprises a housing and an internal beverage holding tank positioned in and contained within the housing. An intermediate drive magnet is installed in a base of the portable beverage dispensing container below and outside of the internal beverage holding tank, and a beverage agitator is positioned within the internal beverage holding tank and magnetically coupled to the intermediate drive magnet. In use, rotation of the intermediate drive magnet causes a corresponding rotation of the beverage agitator within the internal beverage holding tank. The intermediate drive magnet is configured for magnetic coupling to a drive magnet installed in a brewing station when the portable beverage dispensing container is positioned at the brewing station.

Abstract: A front door assembly for a beverage dispenser includes a front door, a linkage subassembly, and a piston. The linkage subassembly includes: a first member having a distal end pivotally connected to a cabinet of the beverage dispenser and a proximal end; and a second member having a distal end pivotally connected to the front door and a proximal end pivotally connected to the first member at a position intermediate the distal end and the proximal end of the first member. The piston is pivotally connected to and extends between the front door and the proximal end of the first member, with the piston providing a force that, in combination with the linkage subassembly, creates a torque that partially offsets a weight of the front door, such that the piston effectively assists the user in moving the front door from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a lower base, an upper receptacle positioned on and above the lower base for storing a beverage, and a valve in fluid communication with the beverage stored in the upper receptacle. The valve is seated within an opening defined through a bottom panel of the upper receptacle, extends downward from the upper receptacle, and is biased into a closed position. A handle engages the valve, such that rotation of the handle causes the handle to move the valve from the closed position to an open position where the beverage is dispensed through the valve. At the same time, the handle (and the valve) can be readily installed on or removed from the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A brew basket includes a body defining an internal cavity for holding a quantity of a beverage component, such that, in use, water introduced into the internal cavity contacts and passes through the beverage component to produce a brewed beverage. The brew basket further includes an outlet orifice for the brewed beverage defined by a downward extension of the brew basket. A cap engages the downward extension of the brew basket, with an opening defined through a bottom wall of the cap. A gasket is received in the cap, and a thickness of the gasket determines a position of the cap relative to the downward extension of the brew basket, and thus determines a flow rate of the brewed beverage from the outlet orifice through the opening defined through the bottom wall of the cap.

Abstract: A chilled beverage dispenser includes a lower housing, one or more bowls for storing a beverage positioned on the lower housing, and one or more locking members. Each locking member is rotatable between a first (closed) position, in which the locking member engages and prevents a bowl from being removed, and a second (open) position, in which the bowl may be readily removed from the lower housing. The chilled beverage dispenser may also include a bracket at the rear of the lower housing which engages a rear portion of a bowl, also preventing the bowl from being removed from the lower housing. The chilled beverage dispenser may also include a handle for engaging a dispensing valve, which is slidably removable from a cradle at the front of the bowl. The chilled beverage dispenser may also include a removable impeller cover and spray tube inside of the bowl.

Abstract: A funnel assembly for a beverage brewer comprises: a central body with an upper opening for receiving a brewed beverage from the beverage brewer and a lower opening for directing the brewed beverage into a selected one of two or more shuttles; and an upper clip portion configured to snap onto and engage a shaft extending from the beverage brewer, such that the funnel assembly is pivotable about an axis defined by the shaft between a first position in which it directs the brewed beverage into a first of the two or more shuttles and a second position in which it directs the brewed beverage into a second of the two or more shuttles.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the freezing cylinder to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl, along with a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. The beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder. A driven hub is positioned on and rotates with respect to the freezing cylinder, and the driven hub engages a rear end portion of the auger. A driver hub is positioned inside of the freezing cylinder and is magnetically coupled to the driven hub, such that rotation of the driver hub causes a corresponding rotation of the driven hub, and thus, rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the freezing cylinder to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl, along with a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. The beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder. A driven hub is positioned on and rotates with respect to the freezing cylinder, and the driven hub engages a rear end portion of the auger. A driver hub is positioned inside of the freezing cylinder and is magnetically coupled to the driven hub, such that rotation of the driver hub causes a corresponding rotation of the driven hub, and thus, rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a chilled beverage dispenser includes an axle oriented in a substantially vertical orientation at a predetermined location along a bottom wall surface of the dispenser bowl; an impeller which rotates about an axis defined by the axle; an inner pump shell that fits over the axle and defines an internal cavity for enclosing the impeller without impeding rotation of the impeller; and an outer pump shell that fits over and engages the lower pump shell, with a cavity being defined and maintained between the inner pump shell and the outer pump shell. As the bladed impeller rotates, beverage is drawn into the pump assembly along the bottom wall surface of the dispenser bowl, and is also discharged along the bottom wall surface of the dispenser bowl, thus providing maximum agitation of the beverage.

Abstract: A chilled beverage dispenser has a “holeless” bowl and uses a cradle evaporator to achieve cooling of the beverage. In one exemplary embodiment, the cradle evaporator comprises three panels—a bottom panel and two side panels, the side panels being bolted or similarly fastened to the edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the bottom panel. The bottom and side panels each define a continuous and sinuous channel, which carries a cooling medium. The dispenser bowl preferably is constructed of a thin-walled plastic, such that when the dispenser bowl is received in the cradle evaporator, heat transfer is achieved through the bottom wall and portions of the side walls of the bowl.

Abstract: A drawer and latching mechanism for a beverage brewer, and preferably, a brewer that utilizes a pod of coffee grounds or another beverage component, has a housing of the brewer including a pivotable cover and a drawer for retaining a pod of a beverage component below the brew head. In an open position, the pivotable cover and brew head are pivoted away from the drawer to allow access to the pod, while in a closed position, the pivotable cover and brew head are pivoted toward and locked relative to the drawer to secure the pod below the brew head for brewing.