Abstract: A beverage server includes a removable lid with a display adapted to be viewed from a distance, the display equipped with LEDs that flash information to users with respect to a freshness and fluid level of a beverage in the server.

Abstract: A brew basket for a brewing apparatus includes a splash protection structure to protect against spilling when the brew basket is removed prematurely with hot brewing liquid therein. The structure is a splash reservoir formed near the handle of the brew basket, extending the interior surface of the brew basket radially outward at the site of the compartment where the basket is pulled out of the brewing apparatus. A well or reservoir attenuates a wave of liquid created by pulling the basket out by directing the wave to the reservoir rather than impact the side wall of the basket, where hot liquid would then tend to splash or spill out.

Abstract: A beverage server includes a removable lid with a display adapted to be viewed from a distance, the display equipped with LEDs that flash information to users with respect to a freshness and fluid level of a beverage in the server.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus includes an intermittent brewing feature whereby a controller regulates flow into a brew basket based upon a user selected pre-stored flow profile comprising a sequence of flow pulses. A user selects from among a plurality of stored intermittent flow profiles according to the specific brewing operation, where each profile is designed for different brewing conditions. The flow profiles can be incorporated into a larger set of pre-stored or programmed instructions that also regulate temperature, volume, warming operations, and the like.

Abstract: A coffee brewing basket for use with a pre-measured coffee filter packet is shown having a first compartment for retaining the coffee filter packet and a second compartment situated below the first compartment for providing an initial wetting of the coffee filter packet. A rib protruding from an interior wall of the first compartment into the second compartment provides access by which hot water introduced into the brewing basket can enter the first compartment and bypass the coffee filter packet to collect in the lower compartment. A reservoir formed by a series of ridges channels the water draining out of the second compartment and draws water through the coffee filter.

Abstract: An identity and possibly integrity based communication system is disclosed as a broad conceptual realization of a system especially useful with a disposable product packaging and its machinery which enables receipt of identification data incorporated into the packaging, or otherwise incorporated into the product. The receipt of information may be acknowledged to the user or surreptitiously acknowledged, and includes cases where the identification data carried may be either preserved, destroyed, or changed upon opening, or consumption of the contents in the package. The existence of the identification data may be either shown on the packaging or hidden from view regardless of whether the identification data is placed on the outside surface of the packaging, inside surface of the packaging, or within the packaging material. An integrated packaging used without further package removal is also included.

Abstract: A spray head for a coffee making apparatus having a plurality of holes at the bottom of a fluid reservoir for wetting the coffee grounds located below the spray head, the holes raised above a floor of the fluid reservoir by upwardly projecting stand pipes. The elevated hole draws water from a depth spaced from the floor where sediment and lime scaling occurs to delay clogging of the spray head. The arrangement of the holes are selected to wet the grounds evenly, and the size of the holes are preferably selected to create an impact of droplets with the grounds below while maintaining an adequate flow rate through the holes.

Abstract: A decanter vessel including a rigid flask formed with an upwardly projecting neck terminating in a circular edge. Received over such neck is the annular skirt of a pouring spout unit. Such skirt being formed with a frusto conically shaped interior and including on its inner wall a set of inwardly face and upwardly angled ratchet teeth spaced from the neck to form an annular cavity. Received in such annular cavity is a locking ring, such ring having ratchet teeth formed in its exterior for engagement with the first mentioned set of ratchet teeth. The ring is contractible radially inwardly such that, when pressed upwardly into the cavity will cause the wall of the skirt to press such ring radially inwardly against the surface of the neck to thereby entrap the neck within the pour spout unit.

Abstract: A plastic decanter and method of use having inward sloping side walls and a broad base construction which interfits with a concave-shaped warmer plate mounted in the warming deck of a conventional coffee brewing machine, the decanter receiving freshly brewed coffee from a brewing assembly with the decanter containing over half of the coffee mass below the horizontal midpoint permitting a reduction in the required heat to be generated by the warmer plate heating element for avoiding burning the coffee, while the sloping sidewalls, a closure lid and the tight interfit between the decanter and the warmer plate contribute to a reduction in the air convection heat losses for maintaining the coffee fresh for at least four hours, the plastic decanter being relatively unbreakable for eliminating a potential hazard while being utilized as a lightweight serving container.

Abstract: A drip-type coffee maker with efficient heat transfer and minimal heat loss keeps coffee at the optimum temperature for proper flavor over an extended period of time. A closed-top decanter formed entirely of plastic heat insulating material fits into a well which contains a recessed aluminum warming plate. The warming plate is heated to a temperature only slightly above the desired temperature of the coffee. A warming plate adapter is provided for converting existing coffee makers.