Abstract: A temperature control system and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a beverage contained within a beverage server. The temperature control system enabling a user to control of a plurality of attributes of temperature of a beverage from the making of a beverage until the dispensing and disposal of the beverage.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for monitoring and billing beverage preparation equipment and product. The system includes a controller for monitoring the use of beverage preparation equipment. The beverage preparation equipment or apparatus includes a dilution source and a product source connected to the controller and controllably dispenses a dilution component and product component to mix these two components to produce a resultant combination. Information is provided from the dilution source, product source or both to the controller which relates to the dilution material, product or both used by the apparatus. The information is provided to a data collection portion, also connected to the controller, which uses the information for billing purposes. The method includes a method of billing, servicing and resupplying of the apparatus. Information may be provided to a supplier to periodically deliver a product to the operator of the apparatus.

Abstract: An infusion container for use with a brewer. The infusion container includes a body portion defining at least a portion of a cavity therein. At least a portion of the body being liquid permeable. The infusion container liquid permeable portion facilitates brewing a beverage by allowing water to pass through the infusion container. The infusion container may be an individual structure which can be placed in and removed from the holder. Additional components or group of components for use with the beverage holder. The infusion container provides structures and methods facilitating convenient use of a brewer which allows the user to use the type of substance and quantity of substance of their choice and efficiently clean the substance holder.

Abstract: A reusable beverage container for use with a beverage maker to retain a beverage making substance therein. The reusable container has a container portion, a base and a cover. The base is coupled to the container portion and at least a portion of the base is foraminous. The cover is displaceably retained on the container for allowing a beverage making substance to be placed in the container and retained therein. At least a portion of the base is faraminous. The container may also be in the form of a kit for use with a beverage maker for containing a beverage making substance. The kit includes a cover displaceably retained on a holder of the beverage maker. The holder defines a cavity for retaining beverage making substance and the cover is displaceably positionable over the cavity for selectively retaining beverage substance in the holder.

Abstract: A temperature control system and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a beverage contained within a beverage server. The temperature control system enabling a user to control of a plurality of attributes of temperature of a beverage from the making of a beverage until the dispensing and disposal of the beverage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container for containing a beverage and a grommet for use with a container, and a method of retaining liquid in a container and preventing reverse flow out of the container. The container is of the type for retaining a quantity of beverage including at least one wall containing a cavity therein, a rim defining a mouth, and a lid extending at least partially over the mouth. A valve port is provided in the lid. A grommet is provided for retention in the valve port including a flange and structures for retaining the grommet in the valve port. The grommet defines an aperture extending therethrough which communicates with the valve port. The beverage is passed through the aperture and valve port for retention in the cavity of the container. A tongue extends from the grommet into the valve port for movably blocking a portion of the valve port.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the performance of beverage preparation equipment includes a device, such as a data collector, for monitoring the use of the equipment. Information regarding one or more inputs to the equipment is provided to the data collector which uses the information to monitor the performance of the equipment. The information may include information relating to voltage, current, phase angle, and time. The information may be used by a supplier to time delivery of product to the end user of the apparatus or servicing of the equipment in response to use, inferred information, and other alerts. A method of billing based on the results of the monitoring includes a method of billing the use of the apparatus and product in relation to the quantity of water, product, or both used by the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the performance of beverage preparation equipment includes a device, such as a data collector, for monitoring the use of the equipment. Information regarding one or more inputs to the equipment is provided to the data collector which uses the information to monitor the performance of the equipment. The information may include information relating to voltage, current, phase angle, and time. The information may be used by a supplier to time delivery of product to the end user of the apparatus or servicing of the equipment in response to use, inferred information, and other alerts. A method of billing based on the results of the monitoring includes a method of billing the use of the apparatus and product in relation to the quantity of water, product, or both used by the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for monitoring and billing beverage preparation equipment and product. The system includes a controller for monitoring the use of beverage preparation equipment. The beverage preparation equipment or apparatus includes a dilution source and a product source connected to the controller and controllably dispense a dilution component and product component to mix these two components to produce a resultant combination. Information is provided from the dilution source, product source or both to the controller which relates to the dilution material or water, product or both used by the apparatus. The information is provided to a data collection portion, also connected to the controller, which uses the information for billing purposes. The method includes a method of billing, servicing and resuppling of the apparatus and product in relation to the water, product or both used the apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid shield and a funnel in combination with the liquid shield is disclosed. The funnel includes at least one side wall defining a cavity within the funnel and it has a drain opening generally on the bottom surface of the funnel. A rim along the upper edge of the side wall defines a mouth of the funnel. A handle is provided on the funnel. Spaced apart receptacles are positioned on the side wall in relation to the handle. The liquid shield includes a body portion which extends over at least a portion of the cavity of the funnel and is positioned adjacent the handle. The shield includes attachment portions extending from the body which are engageable with the receptacles for removably retaining the shield on the funnel. A flange extends from a portion of the shield and abuts an inside surface of the side wall of the funnel generally blocking passage of material between the shield and the funnel.

Abstract: A wire or other brewing basket adapted to receive a brewing filter and be received by a brewing funnel. The basket comprises a body defining a cavity for receiving the brewing filter and a shield positioned above the body and extending over a portion of the cavity for reducing spillage of brewing material from the funnel. The shield desirably is substantially flat. The basket further includes including mounting structure mounting the shield to the body. Desirably, the mounting structure is in the form of a plurality of stems mounted to a top rim of the body and the shield and extending generally upwardly from the body. The shield in accordance with a preferred embodiment has a generally arcuate configuration, and has an inner arcuate edge and desirably an outer arcuate edge. The radius of curvature of the inner arcuate edge is greater than the radius of curvature of the top rim and desirably the radius of curvature of the top rim.

Abstract: A wire or other brewing basket adapted to receive a brewing filter and be received by a brewing funnel. The basket comprises a body defining a cavity for receiving the brewing filter and a shield positioned above the body and extending over a portion of the cavity for reducing spillage of brewing material from the funnel. The shield desirably is substantially flat. The basket further includes including mounting structure mounting the shield to the body. Desirably, the mounting structure is in the form of a plurality of stems mounted to a top rim of the body and the shield and extending generally upwardly from the body. The shield in accordance with a preferred embodiment has a generally arcuate configuration, and has an inner arcuate edge and desirably an outer arcuate edge. The radius of curvature of the inner arcuate edge is greater than the radius of curvature of the top rim and desirably the radius of curvature of the top rim.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel splash guard which is positioned in a brewing funnel in close proximity to the handle of the funnel. The splash guard is a curved structure which extends over a portion of the mouth of the brewing funnel. The splash guard extends over a portion of the mouth of the brewing funnel, but not to such an extent as to interfere with the spraying of water into the brewing funnel, or the placing of filter supports, filters or brewing substance into the brewing funnel. The splash guard functions to deflect a slurry of water, brewing substance and brewed beverage in the funnel which is displaced toward the handle, and to direct the slurry back into the funnel instead of splashing out of the brewing funnel.

Abstract: An automatic beverage brewing apparatus which includes a brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a water distribution system associated with the brew chamber for introducing brew water and flush water. A filter assembly is disposed in the brew chamber and has an opening formed therethrough for communicating with the outlet of the brew chamber. A piston assembly disposed in the brew chamber including a spool and a device for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool includes a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between the head and the base. The spool is disposed in the brew chamber with the head controllably movable in the inlet and the base controllably movable in the outlet for controllably opening and plugging the inlet and outlet. A port associated with a flush water dispenser is formed through an exterior surface of the spool between the head and the necked portion.

Abstract: An automatic beverage brewing apparatus including a brew chamber assembly with a throat in a top portion, a drain in a bottom portion, and a filter positioned therebetween. A movable piston controllably opens and closes the throat and drain during brewing and flushing cycles. A discharge line from the brew chamber has a controllable discharge valve to direct flow from the brew chamber through a dispensing line, a waste line, or to prevent flow though either line. Water may be controllably accumulated in the brew chamber by controlling the discharge valve to prevent flow through either line. At the initiation of the brewing cycle the valve is operated to block the dispensing line and the waste line, whereupon a brewing substance and brewing water are introduced into the brew chamber. The brewing substance floats on and steeps in the brewing water which is accumulated in the brew chamber. A pressurized water line dispenses water into the throat to rinses the throat.

Abstract: An automatic beverage brewing apparatus which includes a brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a water distribution system associated with the brew chamber for introducing brew water and flush water therein. A filter assembly is disposed in the brew chamber. An opening is formed through the filter assembly for communicating with the outlet of the brew chamber. A flush water dispenser is associated with the water distribution system and is positioned centrally in the brew chamber for rinsing inside surfaces of the brew chamber. A piston assembly disposed in the brew chamber including a spool and a device for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool includes a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between the head and the base. The spool is disposed in the brew chamber with the head controllably movable in the inlet and the base controllably movable in the outlet for controllably opening and plugging the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: An automatic beverage brewing apparatus for automatically brewing beverages such as coffee. The apparatus includes a brew chamber assembly with a throat in a top portion, a drain in a bottom portion, and a filter position therebetween. A movable piston is provided to controllably open and close the throat and drain during brewing and flushing cycles. A discharge line from the brew chamber has a controllable discharge valve to direct flow from the brew chamber through a dispensing line, a waste line, or to prevent flow through either line. Water may be controllably accumulated in the brew chamber by controlling the discharge valve to prevent flow through either line. At the initiation of the brewing cycle the valve is operated to block the dispensing line and the waste line, whereupon a brewing substance and brewing water are introduced into the brew chamber. The brewing substance floats on and steeps in the brewing water which is accumulated in the brew chamber.