Abstract: A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

Abstract: A multi-mode coffee maker facilitates switching between a carafe mode and a single cup mode. The coffee maker includes switches for selecting the amount of coffee brewed, a drip valve normally closed to prevent dripping and opened by insertion of a carafe or a single cup adapter into the coffee maker, and a hot plate for maintaining the temperature of coffee in the carafe, the hot plate independent switchable on and off. A single cup adapter includes a swing-out platform which cooperates with a multi-mode coffee maker to allow switching from a small amount to a large amount of brewed drink when the platform is moved to provide space for a large cup. A slide may also be provided to select the mode.

Abstract: A coffee maker provides a controlled release of heated water into brewing material. In one embodiment the coffee maker includes a spiraling nozzle releasing heated water over brewing material held in the coffee maker. The nozzle provides a single release point at each instant providing improved exposure of the brewing material to the heated water. In another embodiment the coffee maker includes a rotating sprinkler arm releasing heated water into the brewing material. In either embodiment motion may be provided by the flow of heated water, or by an electric motor.

Abstract: A brewing material holder includes a spinning assembly for uniformly dispersing water into brewing material. The spinning assembly may be attached to a removable holder lid or reside in the base of the holder. When water is pumped into the holder, the flow of water is sprayed into brewing material contained in the brewing chamber. On one embodiment, water is pumped into the brewing material holder, and the flow of water causes the spinning assembly to spin by the water flowing past gears or a propeller, or by tangential jets on the spinning member. In another embodiment, the coffee maker includes a rotating shaft engaging the brewing material holder to cause the spinning assembly to spin, or may include stator winding creating a rotating magnetic field in the brewing chamber to cause the spinning assembly to spin.

Abstract: A scoop and level for scooping a portion of granulated material and leveling the contents of the scoop. The scoop may have a volume suitable for brewing a single serving of brewed beverage, and in particular, for brewing a single serving of espresso. The lever is attached to the scoop and slides over the scoop to displace excess material, thus providing a desired amount material for precessing, for example, for preparing a beverage. A scoop handle may further include a tamper opposite to the scoop. The tamper may be used to tamp brewing material after scooping, leveling, and pouring the brewing material into a holder.

Abstract: A bottom fillable espresso cartridge base and apparatus and method for filling and plugging the bottom of the espresso cartridge base. The espresso cartridge base includes an open bottom and a press in bottom plug. The top of the espresso cartridge may be sealed by a foil lid or the like, or be open and an adhesive attachable lid may be included for attachment by a user. A first method utilizes a hand held multi-function tool including a cartridge holder with a holder lid to capture the espresso cartridge, and a bottom tamper and plug seating arm. A second method utilizes a stationary base residing on a flat surface, a cartridge holder to retain cartridges on the base, and individual tools to fill and tamp brewing material in the cartridge, and to attach the bottom plug to the cartridge.

Abstract: A coffee maker provides a controlled release of heated water into brewing material. In one embodiment the coffee maker includes a spiraling nozzle releasing heated water over brewing material held in the coffee maker. The nozzle provides a single release point at each instant providing improved exposure of the brewing material to the heated water. In another embodiment the coffee maker includes a rotating sprinkler arm releasing heated water into the brewing material. In either embodiment motion may be provided by the flow of heated water, or by an electric motor.

Abstract: A brewing material holder includes a spinning assembly for uniformly dispersing water into brewing material. The spinning assembly may be attached to a removable holder lid or reside in the base of the holder. When water is pumped into the holder, the flow of water is sprayed into brewing material contained in the brewing chamber. On one embodiment, water is pumped into the brewing material holder, and the flow of water causes the spinning assembly to spin by the water flowing past gears or a propeller, or by tangential jets on the spinning member. In another embodiment, the coffee maker includes a rotating shaft engaging the brewing material holder to cause the spinning assembly to spin, or may include stator winding creating a rotating magnetic field in the brewing chamber to cause the spinning assembly to spin.

Abstract: A brewing chamber cleaner including a spinning or stationary assembly for spraying cleaning solution into the brewing chamber. The spinning assembly may be attached to a disk configured to removably reside in the brewing chamber, or be part of a coffee maker. Liquid pumped into the brewing chamber cleaner may cause the spinning assembly to spin by the liquid flowing past gears or a propeller, or by off center jets on the spinning member. Alternatively, the coffee maker includes a rotating shaft to cause the spinning assembly to spin or may include stator winding creating a rotating magnetic field to cause the spinning assembly to spin. In another embodiment the brewing chamber cleaner includes a wide spray provided by a fixed nozzle. A base is optionally provided to capture the spray and direct a flow into a bottom extraction needle of the coffee maker to clean the extraction needle.

Abstract: A multi-mode coffee maker facilitates switching between a carafe mode and a single cup mode. The coffee maker includes switches for selecting the amount of coffee brewed, a drip valve normally closed to prevent dripping and opened by insertion of a carafe or a single cup adapter into the coffee maker, and a hot plate for maintaining the temperature of coffee in the carafe, the hot plate independent switchable on and off. A single cup adapter includes a swing-out platform which cooperates with a multi-mode coffee maker to allow switching from a small amount to a large amount of brewed drink when the platform is moved to provide space for a large cup. A slide may also be provided to select the mode.

Abstract: An underwater oil well blowout spill containment system includes a folded curtain positioned in a magazine around a deep water well head and blowout preventer (BOP). The magazine is positioned around the well-head and BOP and leaves room for required construction and maintenance. In the event of a blowout, the curtain is drawn upward from the magazine and cinched to contain leaking oil. A hose is connected to a port on the magazine to draw the oil to a tanker on the surface.

Abstract: An air fuel mixing device for internal combustion engines comprises a ring section having air passages leading to an interior volume, a cap section for supplying fuel, and a mixing body disposed between the cap section and ring section. The mixing body includes a frusto-conical member through which a plurality of fuel passages extend parallel to the cone axis. The fuel passages form fuel outlets in a frusto-conical surface disposed in the interior volume and facing the air passages. Incoming air passes across the fuel outlets to suck fuel into the interior volume. Depressions in the frusto-conical surface induce turbulence in the incoming air to promote mixing of air and fuel. The ring section comprises relatively rotatable rings with mutually alignable slots for forming the air passages. The slots are selectively misalignable to a desired extent for regulating the amount of incoming air so that the mixing device can be suited to the different needs of various engines.