Abstract: An immersion brewing device and method of using same are disclosed. The brewing device comprises a body, a lid, a basket contained within the body, a pull-up means for creating vacuum pressure within the body, an agitator coupled to the pull-up means and detachably coupled to the basket, and a locking means for locking the agitator to the pull-up means. The pull-up means comprises a main shaft having a top and an opposing bottom, a spinner cap disposed about the top of the main shaft, and a wingnut rotatably disposed about the main shaft. The agitator comprises one or more flat blades angled to create a helicopter-blade-like-movement. The locking means comprises a detent and a detent channel adapted to receive the detent, wherein the detent is disposed about one end of each blade, and wherein the detent channel is cut into the basket.

Abstract: A coffee maker comprises a one-piece body having a top and a bottom, and a brew pod removably disposed within the one-piece body. The brew pod includes a grounds basket, one or more straws disposed under the grounds basket, and a snorkel removably disposed above the grounds basket. The body has locking channels that mate with locking tabs on the brew pod. The snorkel includes a spout, an engagement member disposed under the spout, and a top hat disposed above the spout. A gasket with means for retaining a filtering means may be disposed between the engagement member and the grounds basket. The coffee maker may include means for lifting the one-piece body away from a heat source used during the brewing process. Such a lifting arrangement may also have a lid with an extension means to extend the lid away from the one-piece body during the brewing process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring and regulating physiological states and functions are disclosed. Several embodiments include application of one or more microelectrode arrays to a dorsal root ganglion for measurement of sensory neuron activity, or stimulation of sensory reflex circuits. The methods and apparatuses can be used, for example, for monitoring or controlling bladder function in a patient.

Abstract: An automated coffee grounds homogenizer is disclosed. The homogenizing tool comprises a body having a central axis, a plurality of stirs extending away from the body, and a gear means for randomly rotating the plurality of stirs about the central axis of the body. The gear means has differently sized gears that may be interchangeable with one another whereby the path of rotation of the stirs about the central axis of the body may be changed by switching out one of the plurality of gears with another of the plurality of gears. In a similar vein, each stir is preferably magnetically detachable to the gear means wherein switching out the placement of each stir changes the path of random rotation of the stirs about the central axis.

Abstract: A novel self-tending coffee maker is disclosed. The device includes a top pot, a bottom pot, a funnel disposed between the top pot and bottom pot, a base disposed about the bottom pot, and a means for lifting the bottom pot away from the base. The lifting means may be pneumatically actuated such as by way of a pneumatically actuated piston arrangement, heat actuated, or the like. In a variant of the pneumatically actuated piston arrangement, the lifting means may further include a retaining screw in communication with the piston rod for creating a pre-load setting against the spring, wherein the retaining screw is coupled to the base. With this set-up, the funnel preferably includes at least two legs in communication with the top pot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring and regulating physiological states and functions are disclosed. Several embodiments include application of one or more microelectrode arrays to a dorsal root ganglion for measurement of sensory neuron activity, or stimulation of sensory reflex circuits. The methods and apparatuses can be used, for example, for monitoring or controlling bladder function in a patient.

Abstract: A novel device for hand grinding coffee is disclosed. The device preferably includes a base, a stanchion disposed about the base, and a gear box, a burr collar, and a flywheel each extending away from the stanchion. The flywheel includes a handle for turning it. The device further includes a gear mechanism including a main driven shaft. The main driven shaft extends downward from the gear box. There also is a burr mechanism driven by the gear mechanism. The device may include a variable transmission mechanism having a first gear set and a second gear set selectively engageable to drive the main driven shaft. The device may also include a tumbler having a ground chamber. A distribution member is configured to rotate within the ground chamber of the tumbler during operation of the device.

Abstract: A novel cleaning container is disclosed for backflushing and hence clean an espresso machine. The container may include a body having a top, an opposing bottom, and an interior cavity for holding water, detergent, and/or other cleaning fluid. A piston is slidably disposed within the interior cavity between up and down positions, wherein the piston and an opening of the body at the top define a variable volume for cleaning the machine. A spring is seated firmly within the body underneath the piston for biasing the piston to the up position. A stopper disposed about the top of the piston limits the motion of the piston at the top of the body. One or more grooves within the body are in fluid communication with one or more outlets to permit fluid to exit the body during cleaning. The body may be transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A back-blush cleaning container may have a spring-biased piston that allows the container to fill with hot water when attached to a group head of the espresso machine. When the hot water of the espresso machine is turned off, the piston due to the spring urges the hot water out and back through a 3-way valve to clean the espresso machine. The backflush cleaning container also may have a steam conduit that allows steam from a steam wand of the espresso machine to clean the group head, 3-way valve and tubes. Moreover, the container may have a window which based on the position of the piston, a particular color is shown. The colors indicate whether the container is safe to remove from the group head of the espresso machine and when the container is full of water.

Abstract: A novel device for hand grinding coffee is disclosed. The device preferably includes a base, a stanchion disposed about the base, and a gear box, a burr collar, and a flywheel each extending away from the stanchion. The flywheel includes a handle for turning it. The device further includes a gear mechanism including a main driven shaft. The main driven shaft extends downward from the gear box. There also is a burr mechanism driven by the gear mechanism. The device may include a variable transmission mechanism having a first gear set and a second gear set selectively engageable to drive the main driven shaft. The device may also include a tumbler having a ground chamber. A distribution member is configured to rotate within the ground chamber of the tumbler during operation of the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring and regulating physiological states and functions are disclosed. Several embodiments include application of one or more microelectrode arrays to a dorsal root ganglion for measurement of sensory neuron activity, or stimulation of sensory reflex circuits. The methods and apparatuses can be used, for example, for monitoring or controlling bladder function in a patient.

Abstract: A back-blush cleaning container may have a spring-biased piston that allows the container to fill with hot water when attached to a group head of the espresso machine. When the hot water of the espresso machine is turned off, the piston due to the spring urges the hot water out and back through a 3-way valve to clean the espresso machine. The backflush cleaning container also may have a steam conduit that allows steam from a steam wand of the espresso machine to clean the group head, 3-way valve and tubes. Moreover, the container may have a window which based on the position of the piston, a particular color is shown. The colors indicate whether the container is safe to remove from the group head of the espresso machine and when the container is full of water.

Abstract: A novel cleaning container is disclosed for backflushing and hence clean an espresso machine. The container may include a body having a top, an opposing bottom, and an interior cavity for holding water, detergent, and/or other cleaning fluid. A piston is slidably disposed within the interior cavity between up and down positions, wherein the piston and an opening of the body at the top define a variable volume for cleaning the machine. A spring is seated firmly within the body underneath the piston for biasing the piston to the up position. A stopper disposed about the top of the piston limits the motion of the piston at the top of the body. One or more grooves within the body are in fluid communication with one or more outlets to permit fluid to exit the body during cleaning. The body may be transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A cooker for producing a chocolate solution and a method for producing a chocolate solution capable of shortening a production time is provided. The cooker for producing a chocolate solution according to the present invention includes a steam generating part generating a steam by heating water, a cylindrical member including a jetting port at a lower end for jetting a steam generated by the steam generating part, extending downward to guide the steam to the jetting port, and jetting the steam into a vessel containing a chocolate and a liquid, and a stirring shaft arranged inside the cylindrical member, extending downward, and having a stirring blade attached thereto for stirring the chocolate and the liquid.

Abstract: A back-blush cleaning container may have a spring-biased piston that allows the container to fill with hot water when attached to a group head of the espresso machine. When the hot water of the espresso machine is turned off, the piston due to the spring urges the hot water out and back through a 3-way valve to clean the espresso machine. The backflush cleaning container also may have a steam conduit that allows steam from a steam wand of the espresso machine to clean the group head, 3-way valve and tubes. Moreover, the container may have a window which based on the position of the piston, a particular color is shown. The colors indicate whether the container is safe to remove from the group head of the espresso machine and when the container is full of water.