Abstract: A cup shaped holder is internally provided with an ejection mechanism which serves to automatically dislodge a spent beverage cartridge from an upwardly extending piercing member when the lid is opened at the end of a brewing cycle. In addition, the holder is mounted on externally protruding trunnions for pivotal movement between an upright brewing position and a partially inverted position to eject the dislodged cartridge from the holder into an underlying receptacle. The lid has a dependency arm that coacts with a pawl on the holder trunnions to automatically manipulate the holder to eject the cartridge.

Abstract: An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces a predetermined amount of liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of the predetermined amount of liquid from the metering chamber.

Abstract: A cup shaped holder is internally provided with an ejection mechanism which serves to automatically dislodge a spent beverage cartridge from an upwardly extending piercing member when the lid is opened at the end of a brewing cycle. In addition, the holder is mounted on externally protruding trunnions for pivotal movement between an upright brewing position and a partially inverted position to eject the dislodged cartridge from the holder into an underlying receptacle. The lid has a dependency arm that coacts with a pawl on the holder trunnions to automatically manipulate the holder to eject the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing casings from sausages having a frame, and a conduit extending within the frame through which a string of linked sausages are longitudinally moved. A knife means is pivotally mounted in the longitudinal path of the linked sausages and is capable of moving into the recessed portions of the string existing between adjacent ends of the linked product to sever the casing material in that area. A spin jump paddle is pivotally and transversely mounted in the path of the string of sausages downstream from the knife element so that the casings will pass thereover. The paddle has a width greater than its thickness and will rotate from a flat position to a vertical position depending on the portion of a linked product that is passing thereover. The casing material being removed from the linked product passes over the paddle and downwardly to a pair of gripping rolls. Steam is injected into the conduit and diverted through the length thereof to loosen the casing material from the cooked product.