Abstract: A powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus which combines a powdered beverage substance and water to produce a desired beverage, for example cappuccino, hot chocolate, as well as other beverages which may be provided in powdered form. The apparatus includes at least one hopper having a powdered beverage stirring and dispensing mechanism which stirs the powder to further prevent caking and to controllably dispense a desired quantity of powder from the hopper. A water dispensing system is provided with the apparatus to controllably dispense a quantity of water for mixing with a quantity of powder dispensed from the hopper. A mixing assembly communicates with the hopper and with the water dispensing system to combine powder and water. The mixing assembly includes a frothing mechanism extending into a whipping chamber which communicates with a mixing chamber to mechanically agitate the powder and water combined in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A grinder for grinding materials to produce a ground substance. The grinder includes a cabinet, a grinder motor retained in the cabinet, and a grinder mechanism coupled to the motor to grind the materials. A hopper is positioned in communication with the grinder mechanism to deliver materials for grinding. The container retainer is attached to the grinder for retaining a container in close proximity for capturing ground material dispensed thereby. An activation switch assembly is included with the grinder to selectively control the grinder and activate the grinder when a container is placed in a desired location. A substance settling assembly is included with the grinder for removing a container retained by the grinder to settle the substance as it is dispensed from the grinder to the container. A chaff retainer is provided for maintaining chaff included with the ground substance in mixture with the ground substance.

Abstract: A sensing assembly which includes a sensing device. The sensor assembly is constructed for use with an automatic beverage apparatus. The sensing assembly is attached to a beverage reservoir and senses, by physical contact, a quantity of beverage retained in the reservoir. The sensing assembly provides information about the quantity of beverage retained in the reservoir. When coupled to a beverage brewing apparatus, the beverage brewing apparatus will automatically produce a predetermined quantity of beverage in response to conditions sensed by said sensing assembly.

Abstract: A dispensing control assembly for use with a grinding apparatus to controllably dispense coffee beans therethrough. The grinding apparatus includes a hopper in gravity feed relationship with the dispensing control assembly and a grinder positioned below the dispensing control assembly for grinding material dispensed therethrough. The dispensing control assembly includes a slide plate retained between the hopper and the grinder for selective movement between an open and a closed position. A moving mechanism is provided and coupled to the slide plate for moving the slide plate between the open position and the closed position. A baffle is also provided which extends over a portion of the slide plate facing the hopper with the baffle creating a void therebelow to facilitate movement of the slide plate into the closed position and avoid trapping coffee beans.

Abstract: A coffee grinding apparatus which includes a coffee bean grinding mechanism and a weighing device associated with the grinding mechanism to weigh ground coffee. A receptacle is associated with the weighing device and positioned below the grinding mechanism for receiving ground coffee from the grinding mechanism. The weighing device generates an actual weight signal corresponding to the weight of the ground coffee dispensed into the receptacle. A selecting device is provided to allow a user to select a weight of ground coffee to be produced by the apparatus. A dispensing assembly may be associated with a whole bean hopper, the selecting device and weighing device are coupled to a control circuit which controls the grinding apparatus. The control circuit operates the dispensing assembly and/or the grinding mechanism as a function of a comparison of the actual weight signal and the selected weight signal.

Abstract: A tray assembly for use in receiving and retaining used moist brewing substances and the like from a beverage brewing apparatus and separating a liquid portion therefrom. The tray assembly is in communication with an entry port which deposits moist brewing substances therein. A drain line in the brewing apparatus carries separated liquids away from said tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray body, a liquid separation portion retained in said tray body for drawing off liquids from moist brewing substances, and a controllably sealable tray valve assembly attached to the tray body and operatively engaging the drain line for draining liquids from the tray assembly. A first area in the tray body between the entry port and the liquid separation portion communicates with the entry port and defines a receiving and retaining space. A second area in the tray body between the liquid separating portion and the valve assembly communicates with the tray valve assembly and defines a liquid collection space.

Abstract: A tray assembly for use in receiving and retaining used moist brewing substances and the like from a beverage brewing apparatus and separating a liquid portion therefrom. The tray assembly is in communication with an entry port which deposits moist brewing substances therein. A drain line in the brewing apparatus carries separated liquids away from said tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray body, a liquid separation portion retained in said tray body for drawing off liquids from moist brewing substances, and a controllably sealable tray valve assembly attached to the tray body and operatively engaging the drain line for draining liquids from the tray assembly. A first area in the tray body between the entry port and the liquid separation portion communicates with the entry port and defines a receiving and retaining space. A second area in the tray body between the liquid separating portion and the valve assembly communicates with the tray valve assembly and defines a liquid collection space.

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: A coffee grinding apparatus which includes a coffee bean grinding mechanism and a weighing device associated with the grinding mechanism to weigh ground coffee. A receptacle is associated with the weighing device and positioned below the grinding mechanism for receiving ground coffee from the grinding mechanism. The weighing device generates an actual weight signal corresponding to the weight of the ground coffee dispensed into the receptacle. A selecting device is provided to allow a user to select a weight of ground coffee to be produced by the apparatus. A dispensing assembly may be associated with a whole bean hopper, the selecting device and weighing device are coupled to a control circuit which controls the grinding apparatus. The control circuit operates the dispensing assembly and/or the grinding mechanism as a function of a comparison of the actual weight signal and the selected weight signal.

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: A multiple orientation drive device for use with a beverage brewing apparatus. The beverage brewing apparatus is a type having a brew chamber which includes a top and bottom assembly and an elongated brewing component extending into the brew chamber. The elongated brewing component is associated with the drive device such that it is linearly and rotatably shiftable in the brew chamber. The linear and rotatable shifting are independently achieved by the actions of an independent linear drive assembly and an independent rotary drive assembly. The linear drive assembly is associated with the brewing component for linearly driving the brewing component in the brew chamber and the rotary drive assembly is associated with the brewing component for rotating the component independently of the linear drive assembly. The present invention also includes synchronizing the linear drive assembly and rotary drive assembly to simultaneously linearly shift and rotatably shift the brewing component in the brew chamber.

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: A reusable multilayer filter for use with a beverage brewing apparatus. The multilayer filter includes a foraminous support player, a porous mesh layer and a multiplicity of wrinkles formed in the porous mesh layer. The foraminous support layer has a multiplicity of spaced apart holes extending through the layer. The porous mesh layer overlies and is attached to the foraminous support layer. The mesh layer is formed of a woven, etched, or deposited material which has a multiplicity of small openings extending therethrough. The openings in the porous mesh layer are smaller than the holes in the foraminous support layer for selectively retaining material having a dimension larger than the openings. The wrinkles in the porous mesh layer are formed in spaced apart areas which are defined by a perimeter of the holes in the foraminous support layer. The wrinkles increase the effective surface area of the filter.

Abstract: A hopper assembly for storing and controllably dispensing ground material such as coffee meal. The hopper assembly includes a hollow body portion positioned above and in communication with a dispensing assembly. A storage chamber is formed between the hollow body portion and the dispensing assembly. A wall extends between a top end and a base end of the body portion. The body portion is frustoconical shaped such that the top end is smaller in diameter than the base end and the wall tapers inwardly from the base end toward the top end. The frustoconical shape of the body portion prevents bridging of the material retained in the storage chamber. An agitating device is also included in the dispensing assembly for creating a stirring action and moving material in the storage chamber to further prevent clogging and bridging of the material. At least a portion of the hopper assembly is formed of a transparent material to allow light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A hopper assembly for storing and controllably dispensing ground material such as coffee meal. The hopper assembly includes a hollow body portion positioned above and in communication with a dispensing assembly. A storage chamber is formed between the hollow body portion and the dispensing assembly. A wall extends between a top end and a base end of the body portion. The body portion is frustoconical shaped such that the top end is smaller in diameter than the base end and the wall tapers inwardly from the base end toward the top end. The frustoconical shape of the body portion prevents bridging of the material retained in the storage chamber. An agitating device is also included in the dispensing assembly for creating a stirring action and moving material in the storage chamber to further prevent clogging and bridging of the material. At least a portion of the hopper assembly is formed of a transparent material to allow light to pass therethrough.

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.

Abstract: A tray assembly for use in receiving and retaining used moist brewing substances and the like from a beverage brewing apparatus and separating a liquid portion therefrom. The tray assembly is in communication with an entry port which deposits moist brewing substances therein. A drain line in the brewing apparatus carries separated liquids away from said tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray body, a liquid separation portion retained in said tray body for drawing off liquids from moist brewing substances, and a controllably sealable tray valve assembly attached to the tray body and operatively engaging the drain line for draining liquids from the tray assembly. A first area in the tray body between the entry port and the liquid separation portion communicates with the entry port and defines a receiving and retaining space. A second area in the tray body between the liquid separating portion and the valve assembly communicates with the tray valve assembly and defines a liquid collection space.

Abstract: a spool for use with a piston assembly in an automatic beverage brewing apparatus including a brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a filter disposed therein, and a water distribution system for introducing brew water and flush water therein. A flush water dispenser of the water distribution system is positioned centrally in the brew chamber for rinsing inside surfaces of the brew chamber. The piston assembly includes the spool and a device for controllably moving the spool in axial and rotary directions. The spool has a head, a base, and a necked portion extending between the head and the base. The head and base have external dimensions which are less than or substantially equal to an internal dimension of an opening in the filter. The external dimension of the head is less than or substantially equal to the external dimension of the base. The dimensions of the head, base and necked portion allow the filter assembly to be installed and removed over the head and base.

Abstract: For use with coffee bean grinders, a safety switch is actuated by a pivot arm having a pivot point located below a contact area at which a removeable container engages the pivot arm. The pivot arm pivots about the pivot point on a substantially horizontal axis between a forward and a retracted position. Also, the contact area is disposed forwardly of a vertical plane containing the pivot point and the horizontal axis. This construction reduces the amount of force necessary to move the pivot arm and actuate the switch. Because this force is smaller than before, this safety switch can be used with thin-walled containers, like plastic bags, without compromising the proper operation or safety of the grinder.