Abstract: A beverage brewing device that can be used to make either hot coffee or iced tea has a retractable decanter support platform which is capable of translation between an extended position and a retracted position. When the support platform is in the extended position, it can accept and support a small decanter for use in receiving the brewed beverage. The support platform has a warming plate which maintains the temperature of the beverage. When the support platform is in the retracted position, the platform is positioned to enable a large decanter to be placed on the base of the device. The beverage brewing device also has an electric circuit capable of causing the beverage brewing device to brew coffee when the decanter support platform is in the extended position, and causing the beverage brewing device to brew tea when the decanter support platform is in the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an improved method for connecting a two-part brewing funnel generally used to make cold, freshly brewed beverages. The funnel consists of an inner part and an outer part. The outer part has a plurality of notches and tabs disposed about its upper flange. The notches are disposed with one side being in abutment with a tab. The inner part has a plurality of tangs disposed about its upper portion, with their disposition coordinated with the disposition of the notches of the outer part so that the tangs are insertable into the notches. One end of each tang is elongated to form a tang tab and a tang notch disposed between the tang and the tang tab. When the inner and outer parts are joined, the tabs of the outer part move over and behind the tang tabs of the inner part and lock in a rest position in the tang notches. Meanwhile, the tang tabs move under and behind the tabs of the outer part and lock in a rest position behind the tabs.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting and heating shortening includes a housing having a top, a bottom and sidewalls; a heating grid mounted in the housing and spaced above the bottom thereof for melting shortening and allowing melted shortening to pass therethrough toward the bottom of the housing. A door is mounted to the housing for introducing a block of shortening onto the heating grid. A bottom heater is mounted adjacent the housing bottom for maintaining the melted shortening at a desired temperature. A control circuit maintains control of the operation of both the heating grid and the bottom heater in a predetermined fashion for initially melting a block of shortening introduced onto the heating grid while substantially preventing smoking of the same, and for maintaining melted shortening at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus for brewing beverage concentrates and mixing these concentrates with dilution water prior to being disposed into a common decanter. A common fill basin is provided to supply the water requirements for both the brewing of the concentrate as well as the dilution of the concentrate. Brewing is initiated upon filling the basin to a predetermined level, after which, at a second predetermined level, dilution water is permitted to flow. At a first predetermined basin level, the brewing water ceases to be transported to the beverage brewing substance, however, the dilution water continues to flow until the basin is drained.

Abstract: A beverage (tea and coffee) making appliance of the type having a reservoir wherein a supply of hot water for brewing is maintained and from which a volume of the hot water is displaced by an equal volume of a batch of cold water discharged by gravity from a cold water basin through a fill tube into the bottom of the reservoir. The displaced hot water is discharged into a brewing funnel lined with a filter on which the beverage forming material (ground coffee or tea leaves) is placed. The cold water basin is equipped with a removable standpipe-like fitting on the upper end of the fill tube through which cold water enters as long as the level of water in the cold water basin is above the upper end or entrance opening in the fill tube. The fill basin has a second drain opening to which is connected one end of a tube the other end of which discharges into a portion of the brewing funnel which is partitioned off from the filter lined portion.

Abstract: Beverage brewing apparatus capable of discharging brewed beverage either into a carafe disposed directly beneath the brewing funnel or into a container substantially taller than a carafe and too tall to fit directly under the funnel. The apparatus comprises a beverage brewer of the type in which brewed beverage discharges from a brewing funnel into a carafe supported directly below and a kit for converting the beverage brewer so as to permit brewed beverage to discharge into either a carafe or a container, such as an air pot which is too tall to fit directly under the funnel. The kit comprises legs to support the beverage brewer in an elevated position, an elongated spigot, and means for readily attaching and detaching the spigot to a discharge fitting of the brewing funnel. The spigot extends laterally to one side of the brewer so as to discharge into a tall container disposed at one side of the brewer.

Abstract: A convertible beverage (coffee and tea) making machine which as manufactured is a manual cold water pour-in machine and which is readily convertible "in the field" to an automatic cold water inlet machine, with or without a separate hot water faucet, by installing the contents of a conversion kit. If desired, the machine can be re-converted from an automatic back to a manual cold water pour-in machine. Separate and apart from being convertible from pour-in to automatic, the beverage making machine incorporates structural features which readily permit the following optional changes: the brewing funnel support rails can be re-positioned to allow the brewing funnel to be inserted and withdrawn from either the right or left side instead of from the front; the electric switch "buttons" can be re-positioned from the front to either the right or left sides; and, a hot water faucet, when added, can be mounted on either the right or left sides.