Abstract: A spray head assembly for use with a beverage brewer includes a spray head and an adapter. The spray head includes a back plate having a turn mechanism. The adapter includes a body having an outer portion and a threaded inner portion. The body has an opening through the threaded inner portion that is attachable to a valve of the beverage maker. The outer portion of the body includes ears attachable to the backer plate of the spray head through the turn mechanism.

Abstract: A beverage brewing funnel for conforming a structure of a filter paper inserted therein is disclosed. The beverage brewing funnel includes a frame have a base, a drain aperature formed in a bottom surface of the base, and a wall extending upwardly from the base and defining a mouth. The beverage brewing funnel also includes ribs extending away from the wall and spaced apart from one another. Each rib has a portion radially and inwardly positioned along the wall. One of the portions includes a fin projecting upwardly and prominently from the portion. The fins form a raised central area relative to the frame.

Abstract: The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein, along with contemplated variants thereof, provide several advantages over known systems for actuating the faucet of a beverage server. In conventional designs, a faucet of a beverage server is provided in the lower portion of a reservoir, such that a beverage from the reservoir is distributed to the spigot through a gravity-driven process. In operation, many of these servers are utilized as service industry coffee servers for restaurants and banquet halls. Employees who are handling the brewing equipment will often place servers used with the brewing equipment directly in a sink for cleaning or filling, such that the base of that sink acts as a horizontal surface. Absent the ability of the lever assembly to fold into an up position, this operation would result in putting unnecessary force on the lever assembly. Accordingly, a multi-position, hands-free actuation system is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A beverage making apparatus including at least a beverage producing portion, a controllable by-pass water system, and at least one of a sweetener system or flavoring system in which the sweetener system and/or flavoring system controllably mixes a sweetener ingredient and/or flavoring ingredient with water external to the housing without mixing in a confined structure. A method for producing a beverage is provided including at least the steps of: providing a beverage making apparatus; providing a water dispensing system; providing at least one of a sweetener dispensing system and flavoring system; and controllably dispensing water and at least one of sweetener and flavoring externally of the apparatus for combination with beverage produced by the beverage making apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. The funnel assembly may include an insert that is retained in the funnel assembly to contain a powdered or other similar substance for mixing with liquid within the insert. The insert is configured to extend within a cavity of the funnel assembly and is configured to permit mixing of the substance with the liquid before dispensing the mixture into a portion of the funnel assembly. The insert may include a rim or liquid shield, with at least a portion of the rim or liquid shield engaging a portion of the funnel assembly to retain the insert within the funnel assembly. The insert may further include a flow guide adjacent a drainage aperture, the flow guide at least partially directing the flow of mixture from the insert into a portion of the funnel assembly.

Abstract: A beverage system for producing and dispensing a beverage for controlled serving dispensing which includes a maker module for dispensing a beverage ingredient such as tea to a dispensing module which then communicates with a mixing module for controlled serving dispensing. Another embodiment of the beverage apparatus includes a dispense module which receives beverage from a making module and in which the dispensing module is transferable to a mixing module for subsequent controlled serving dispensing. Further, additional features such as sweetener integration, controlled mixing, controlled dispensing, and product characteristic sensing may be provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. The funnel assembly may include an insert that is retained in the funnel assembly to contain a powdered or other similar substance for mixing with liquid within the insert. The insert is configured to extend within a cavity of the funnel assembly and is configured to permit mixing of the substance with the liquid before dispensing the mixture into a portion of the funnel assembly. The insert may include a rim or liquid shield, with at least a portion of the rim or liquid shield engaging a portion of the funnel assembly to retain the insert within the funnel assembly. The insert may further include a flow guide adjacent a drainage aperture, the flow guide at least partially directing the flow of mixture from the insert into a portion of the funnel assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a funnel liquid shield and sensor for use in brewing funnels of a beverage making apparatus. The liquid shield is moveably attached to the funnel. The sensor detects at least one of a presence and absence of liquid in the funnel and is used to provide a signal to at least one of lock or unlock the funnel from the beverage making apparatus or provide a signal corresponding to the condition of liquid in the funnel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lid for a beverage container configured to retain a beverage from a brewer or other source of beverage. The lid is configured to substantially cover or enclose an opening of the beverage container for receiving a beverage into a vessel of the container. The lid further includes a base and a door, the door being slidable with respect to the base from a first closed position that prevents access to the opening to a second opened position that permits access to the opening. The door further including a first and second panel that are connected together each other along a pivot axis. The second panel is pivotable with respect to the first panel when the door is slid from the first closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. The funnel assembly may include an insert that is retained in the funnel assembly to contain a powdered or other similar substance for mixing with liquid within the insert. The insert is configured to extend within a cavity of the funnel assembly and is configured to permit mixing of the substance with the liquid before dispensing the mixture into a portion of the funnel assembly. The insert may include a rim or liquid shield, with at least a portion of the rim or liquid shield engaging a portion of the funnel assembly to retain the insert within the funnel assembly. The insert may further include a flow guide adjacent a drainage aperture, the flow guide at least partially directing the flow of mixture from the insert into a portion of the funnel assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lid for a beverage container configured to retain a beverage from a brewer or other source of beverage. The lid is configured to substantially cover or enclose an opening of the beverage container for receiving a beverage into a vessel of the container. The lid further includes a base and a door, the door being slidable with respect to the base from a first closed position that prevents access to the opening to a second opened position that permits access to the opening. The door further including a first and second panel that are connected together each other along a pivot axis. The second panel is pivotable with respect to the first panel when the door is slid from the first closed position.

Abstract: A beverage system for producing and dispensing a beverage for controlled serving dispensing which includes a maker module for dispensing a beverage ingredient such as tea to a dispensing module which then communicates with a mixing module for controlled serving dispensing. Another embodiment of the beverage apparatus includes a dispense module which receives beverage from a making module and in which the dispensing module is transferable to a mixing module for subsequent controlled serving dispensing. Further, additional features such as sweetener integration, controlled mixing, controlled dispensing, and product characteristic sensing may be provided.