Abstract: A quality control apparatus for a beverage held in a beverage container. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to be in thermal communication with the beverage and detect attainment of a first predetermined temperature. The apparatus also includes a timer coupled with the sensor. The timer is configured to commence timing in response to detection of the attainment of the first predetermined temperature by the sensor. The apparatus also typically includes an indicator coupled to the timer and configured to indicate to a user a status of the timer.

Abstract: A quality control apparatus for a beverage held in a beverage container. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to be in thermal communication with the beverage and detect attainment of a first predetermined temperature. The apparatus also includes a timer coupled with the sensor. The timer is configured to commence timing in response to detection of the attainment of the first predetermined temperature by the sensor. The apparatus also typically includes an indicator coupled to the timer and configured to indicate to a user a status of the timer.

Abstract: A milk frothing system is provided whereby milk is first frothed by controlled introduction of air, and then heated by circulation in a conduit which passes through a hot water tank. Milk initially is drawn into a milk frother from a cold milk supply, such milk supply preferably being replaceably housed in an onboard refrigerator. Once frothed, milk is directed through a frothed milk conduit, passing through an ambient pressure hot water tank so as to heat the frothed milk. An espresso water conduit similarly may be connected to a water supply, such espresso water conduit passing water through the hot water tank so as to heat the water. The heated water is passed through espresso grounds to produce espresso which is discharged through an espresso discharge nozzle. The hot frothed milk is passed directly through a milk discharge nozzle for use in making a beverage such as cappuccino or the like.

Abstract: A beverage quantity indicator is provided for use with beverage containers of a type which do not include a visual or other type of indication of the quantity of beverage remaining in the container. The indicator is incorporated into a beverage stand and includes a weight scale for weighing beverage containers on the stand, thus providing an indication of the quantity of beverage within the container. A preferred form of beverage stand is also disclosed. The weight scale on the stand includes a hinge-mounted plate on which a beverage container rests. The hinge-mounted plate is movable generally vertically along an arcuate path. A spring on the beverage stand urges the hinge-mounted plate generally upwardly and the amount of flexure of the spring indicates the quantity of beverage in the container on the plate.

Abstract: An automatic fluid-flow control system is provided for controlling the quantity of fluid allowed to flow uninterrupted through a conduit. It is particularly useful in controlling potentially damaging floods caused by breakage in a branch plumbing line used to supply water to beverage dispensing appliances, ice-making machines and similar devices which repeatedly consume limited quantities of water in relatively short flow cycles. The fluid-flow control system includes a flow meter which emits a signal containing information about the flow of fluid and also indicating when fluid is flowing and when it is not. The preferred metering device emits pulses at a rate proportional to the flow rate. A counter accumulates a pulse count during each period of fluid flow. A separate pulse sensing network senses the beginning and end of each period of fluid flow and disables and initializes the counter whenever fluid is not flowing.