Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneous brewing and beverage dispensing, in which a brew basket is positionable in a beverage dispenser to permit brewing. The brew basket includes a novel shape that permits it to take advantage of current beverage dispenser configurations to ease the brewing process.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an insulated container for beverages and the like. The container includes a double-walled vacuum vessel with a handle and an offset dispensing opening at the top of the vessel. The opening is sealable with a cap. A tether can be provided to secure the cap to the handle.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing flow control device according to one example includes a body portion, an actuation lever and a sealing gasket. A sealing gasket is securable over the bottom surface of the body and has a bottom surface with a beverage flow aperture and a vent aperture. The apertures are configured to define a maximum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture does not block the flow aperture of the body portion, and a minimum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture blocks at least the majority of the body's flow aperture while leaving at least a portion of the vent channel unblocked. A plunger is in operable communication with the actuation lever to selectively seal the bottom surface of the gasket.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing flow control device according to one example includes a body portion, an actuation lever and a sealing gasket. A sealing gasket is securable over the bottom surface of the body and has a bottom surface with a beverage flow aperture and a vent aperture. The apertures are configured to define a maximum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture does not block the flow aperture of the body portion, and a minimum flow position when the sealing gasket is rotationally aligned with respect to the body portion such that the beverage flow aperture blocks at least the majority of the body's flow aperture while leaving at least a portion of the vent channel unblocked. A plunger is in operable communication with the actuation lever to selectively seal the bottom surface of the gasket.

Abstract: A dispenser according to one example includes a container portion, a collar base portion and a lever portion. The container portion includes a sidewall, a bottom surface, a hollow interior and an open top. The open top includes an upwardly extending neck. The collar base portion includes a neck receiving recess defined therein, a flow aperture defined therein, a receiving cavity defined therein, a dispensing edge defined in a forward portion thereof, an upwardly extending first pivot member, and a handle portion extending from a rearward portion thereof. The lever portion includes an elongated body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a dispensing end and an actuating end. The lever portion defines a cutoff edge adjacent the dispensing end, a second pivot member extending downwardly from the lower surface, and a biasing member extending generally downwardly from the bottom surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cap having a plurality of readily assembled parts that provide a passage for a beverage or liquid through the cap from the pitcher to the exterior thereof. The cap has a cap body made up of top and bottom portions that are formed so as to snap fit together. The cap body defines an interior cavity or passage from an entry defined by the bottom portion to an exit cooperatively defined by the top and bottom portions. The entry is selectively opened and closed to allow fluid or liquid passage through the cap by a valve that is biased into a closed position. In a preferred embodiment the valve is attached to a plunger having a cylindrical configuration and including a plurality of upwardly and outwardly extending shape memory retentive legs that are confined within a receiving collar attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A beverage server comprises a container having a top, a bottom, and side walls joined so as to form a water-tight vessel. The container has a fill opening in the top thereof that provides access to the interior of the container. The container also has a spout formed through a side wall of the container and opening onto the fill opening formed into the top and a handle connected to a side wall of the container opposite the spout. A lid having a top with a skirt wall depending downwardly therefrom is constructed and arranged to be received within the fill opening of the container. The skirt wall has a pour opening formed therethrough that may be aligned with the spout formed through the sidewall of the container to allow liquids to be poured from the beverage server. The lid is rotatable between three positions: a first, open/close position; a second, closed position; and a third, pouring position.

Abstract: The present invention is a spill-resistant beverage server ideally suited for pouring beverages aboard airliners in flight. The server utilizes a plurality of small pour openings and a closed top which prevents accidental spillage in the event of rough flying conditions. A thumb actuator lever opens the pour openings when in use and a closing device closes the pour openings when the thumb actuator is released. The server is shaped to provide a low center of gravity, even when the container is full, thereby providing a stable server resistant to tipping. A rubber coating over the handle gives the operator a positive grip and prevents accidental dropping. The server also incorporates an indicator device used to display the type of beverage contained therein.

Abstract: The fill-thru lid of the present invention threadedly engages the opening of a thermally insulated beverage server, such as a coffee pot. The opening provides a mouth for filling or emptying a liquid storage area in the beverage server. The upper surface of the lid provides a funnel opening for adding fluids to the storage area of the beverage server. The funnel opening accesses an interior chamber with a floating ball that rises to permit flow into the storage area for the fluid entering the funnel opening. When pouring from the storage area of the beverage server, the floating ball rises to block access to the passage to the funnel opening, forcing the fluid through an alternate passage leading to the integral spout opening. Further, a vent is provided that also accesses the inner chamber of the lid, resulting in the venting of air through the spout opening when fluids are being added to the storage area through the funnel opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cap having a plurality of readily assembled parts that provide a passage for a beverage or liquid through the cap from the pitcher to the exterior thereof. The cap has a cap body made up of top and bottom portions that are formed so as to snap fit together. The cap body defines an interior cavity or passage from an entry defined by the bottom portion to an exit cooperatively defined by the top and bottom portions. The entry is selectively opened and closed to allow fluid or liquid passage through the cap by a valve that is biased into a closed position. In a preferred embodiment the valve is attached to a plunger having a cylindrical configuration and including a plurality of upwardly and outwardly extending shape memory retentive legs that are confined within a receiving collar attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: There is provided a beverage server comprising a pitcher and a multiple positionable lid. The lid is capable of being disposed in three distinct positions on the pitcher, including a filling position, a pouring position, and a locked position wherein beverage is substantially prevented from being spilled from the pitcher.