Abstract: A brew funnel has a selector thereon which can be set to indicate a desired batch size and type of coffee. Sensors on an associated coffee grinder and on an associated coffee brewer are capable of sensing the structure to grind an appropriate amount of coffee and to brew an appropriate amount of coffee, respectively, when the brew funnel is mounted thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a chilled or partially frozen beverage often referred to as a slush beverage. A variety of apparatuses have been designed to produce chilled beverages as well as to produce beverages which are in a “slush” form. Some of these apparatuses are referred to as “granita” machines. Such apparatuses can be used to produce slush beverages from a variety of products including fruit juices, coffee-based beverages, tea-based beverages, as well as beverages containing alcohol. Such apparatuses includes a chilling structure, and some form of blade or auger which moves relative to the chilling portion to strip the frozen product off and circulate the beverage along the chilling portion. Circulation of the beverage along the chilling portion helps to reduce the temperature of the beverage mixture thereby approaching a slush consistency.

Abstract: A beverage server and beverage brewer. Contacts are provided between the brewer and server, and the server is conductively coupleable to and removable from the brewer. The server is configured to detect a level of beverage retained in the server and communicate this information to the brewer. The brewer is configured to automatically initiate a brewing cycle in response to pre-determined conditions, such as upon beverage in the server decreasing below a pre-determined level. The brewer is configured to detect whether the server is in position relative to the brewer and is configured to dispense beverage only if the server is detected. Preferably, the server is configured to prevent dispensing of beverage if a pre-determined time period has expired, in order to avoid dispensing beverage with an expired pre-determined freshness period.

Abstract: A beverage server and beverage brewer. Contacts are provided between the brewer and server, and the server is conductively coupleable to and removable from the brewer. The server is configured to detect a level of beverage retained in the server and communicate this information to the brewer. The brewer is configured to automatically initiate a brewing cycle in response to pre-determined conditions, such as upon beverage in the server decreasing below a pre-determined level. The brewer is configured to detect whether the server is in position relative to the brewer and is configured to dispense beverage only if the server is detected. Preferably, the server is configured to prevent dispensing of beverage if a pre-determined time period has expired, in order to avoid dispensing beverage with an expired pre-determined freshness period.

Abstract: A brew funnel has a selector thereon which can be set to indicate a desired batch size and type of coffee. Sensors on an associated coffee grinder and on an associated coffee brewer are capable of sensing the structure to grind an appropriate amount of coffee and to brew an appropriate amount of coffee, respectively, when the brew funnel is mounted thereon.

Abstract: A digital timer and method for controlling a length of a brewing cycle during which time a brewer brews a beverage. The digital timer includes a controller having an initial brew time stored therein. A switch is in communication with the controller, and the controller is configured to add to and/or subtract from the initial brew time when the switch is actuated. The method includes steps of providing a digital timer including a controller having an initial brew time stored therein, providing a switch in communication with the controller, and actuating the switch, where the controller is configured to add to and/or subtract from the initial brew time when the switch is actuated.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for heating a liquid, such as coffee. The assembly includes a container in which the liquid is retained, first and second electrodes associated with the container, an energy source with which the container can be engaged such that the first electrode comes into contact with the energy source, and a control circuit for supplying voltage from the energy source to the first electrode so that current will pass from the first electrode through the liquid and to the second electrode. Liquid in the container contacts the first and second electrodes and provides an electrical path from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Beverage servers for retaining beverages at a desired heated temperature. Prior art beverage servers have attempted to maintain the temperature of a brewed beverage retained therein in a variety of ways. One form of beverage server utilizes a heat resistant and heat conductive material for a beverage reservoir and places an exposed flame using a product such as gelled fuel thereunder to provide heat. One problem with this type of beverage server is that an exposed flame is presented to the customers and that the flame does not necessarily maintain a consistent or desired beverage temperature.

Abstract: Beverage servers for retaining beverages at a desired heated temperature. Prior art beverage servers have attempted to maintain the temperature of a brewed beverage retained therein in a variety of ways. One form of beverage server utilizes a heat resistant and heat conductive material for a beverage reservoir and places an exposed flame using a product such as gelled fuel thereunder to provide heat. One problem with this type of beverage server is that an exposed flame is presented to the customers and that the flame does not necessarily maintain a consistent or desired beverage temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a chilled or partially frozen beverage often referred to as a slush beverage. A variety of apparatus have been designed to produce chilled beverages as well as to produce beverages which are in a "slush" form. Some of these apparatus are referred to as "granita" machines. Such apparatus can be used to produce slush beverages from a variety of products including fruit juices, coffee-based beverages, tea-based beverages, as well as beverages containing alcohol. Such apparatus includes a chilling structure, and some form of blade or auger which moves relative to the chilling portion to strip the frozen product off and circulate the beverage along the chilling portion. Circulation of the beverage along the chilling portion helps to reduce the temperature of the beverage mixture thereby approaching a slush consistency.

Abstract: A protection circuit for use with a hot water dispensing apparatus of the type which includes a reservoir and a heating element coupled to the reservoir for heating water retained therein. The protection circuit includes a conductivity detector coupled to the reservoir for detecting a desired quantity of water in the reservoir. A first sensor and a second sensor of the conductivity detector are coupled to the reservoir at spaced apart locations. A conductivity detector circuit is coupled to the first and second sensors and coupled to a control circuit of the hot water dispensing apparatus for preventing operation of the apparatus until a desired quantity of water is disposed in the reservoir.

Abstract: A heated water apparatus which includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of heated water and a controller for controlling the heated water apparatus. A controllable heater is coupled to the controller and the reservoir for controllably heating the water retained in the reservoir. A water sensor is coupled to the reservoir and to the controller for detecting the presence and absence of a desired quantity of water in the reservoir and providing a signal to the controller. The controller controls a water source which controllably admits water to the reservoir. The controller also controls an outlet valve coupled to the reservoir. The controller operates the inlet valve and the outlet valve to control the flow of water through the outlet valve in response to the presence and absence of water in the reservoir. When the water level is too low, the controller cycles the outlet valve for specific periods of time in order to allow the water level of the reservoir to catch up.

Abstract: A heated water apparatus which includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of heated water and a controller for controlling the heated water apparatus. A controllable heater is coupled to the controller and the reservoir for controllably heating the water retained in the reservoir. A water sensor is coupled to the reservoir and to the controller for detecting the presence and absence of a desired quantity of water in the reservoir and providing a signal to the controller. The controller controls a water source which controllably admits water to the reservoir. The controller also controls an outlet valve coupled to the reservoir. The controller operates the inlet valve and the outlet valve to control the flow of water through the outlet valve in response to the presence and absence of water in the reservoir. When the water level is too low, the controller cycles the outlet valve for specific periods of time in order to allow the water level of the reservoir to catch up.

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 beverage brewing apparatus which includes a substance dispensing device and a brewing device. The brewing apparatus includes a receptacle for receiving a brewing substance from the substance dispensing device, a movable chute positioned between the substance dispensing device and the receptacle, and a water dispensing system operatively associated with the brewing device and selectively communicating with the receptacle for delivering water to a brewing substance retained therein. Additionally, a drive assembly is provided to operatively displace the water dispensing device relative to the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is positioned in communication with the receptacle, the chute is moved out of communication with the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is removed from communication with the receptacle, the chute is placed in communication with the receptacle.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a substance dispensing device and a brewing device. The brewing apparatus includes a receptacle for receiving a brewing substance from the substance dispensing device, a movable chute positioned between the substance dispensing device and the receptacle, and a water dispensing system operatively associated with the brewing device and selectively communicating with the receptacle for delivering water to a brewing substance retained therein. Additionally, a drive assembly is provided to operatively displace the water dispensing device relative to the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is positioned in communication with the receptacle, the chute is moved out of communication with the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is removed from communication with the receptacle, the chute is placed in communication with the receptacle.

Abstract: A coffee grinding apparatus which measures a quantity of coffee for grinding as a function of time and which is calibrateable to accurately discharge a selected weight of ground coffee. The grinding apparatus includes at least one storage hopper in gravity feed relationship with a dispenser and a grinding mechanism. The apparatus includes a control circuit coupled to the dispenser for selectively operating the dispenser to dispense a desired quantity of coffee beans into the grinding mechanism. A selection device is coupled to the control circuit to allow a user to select a desired weight of ground coffee to be produced by the grinding apparatus. A calibration assembly is coupled to the control circuit, which calibration assembly includes controls for entering the actual weight of the ground coffee to be discharged and a microprocessor which includes a circuit for calculating a correction factor to calibrate the grinding apparatus to accurately produce the selected weight of ground coffee.

Abstract: A boiling water control system for use with a boiling water dispensing apparatus. The boiling water dispensing apparatus includes a water reservoir having a water heating element retained therein for heating water. A top portion of the reservoir is divided into a first and second section. The reservoir includes an inlet for emitting water and an outlet for dispensing water. The boiling water control system includes a steam sensor which produces a control signal in the presence of steam. A control module is associated with the boiling water apparatus and coupled to the steam sensor and the heating element for activating and deactivating the heating element in response to the control signal produced by the steam sensor. A primary steam vent communicates with the first section of the reservoir for allowing steam and air to escape from the first section. An air vent is provided on the primary steam vent for removing heated air from the primary steam vent.

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 control system for a beverage brewing apparatus which includes a programmable control module and a separate input device. The control system is used with a beverage brewing apparatus of the type having an infusion assembly for retaining and filtering a brewing substance, a heated water source and a water distribution system for transporting water from the heated water source to the infusion assembly. The programmable control module controls numerous adjustable functions associated with the brewer and stores at least one function limit for each of the functions which it controls. The separate input device is selectively attachable to the control module for manipulating the function limits of the programmable function retained and controlled by the control module. Function controls are associated with the input device for selecting a function to manipulate and for incrementing and decrementing the limit or limits of the selected function.