Abstract: A system and method for testing a beverage apparatus such as a beverage maker and/or dispenser before shipment. The beverage apparatus includes at least one component that can produce monitorable and/or measurable characteristic. The measurable characteristic may be compared against a threshold value and may include an acceptable tolerance range. In response to an out-of tolerance condition, a fail condition is displayed, otherwise a pass condition is displayed. Also disclosed is a system for storing the measurable characteristic so that the beverage apparatus can be analyzed by comparing its current state versus the baseline state measured before the beverage apparatus was shipped.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blocking device for use with a beverage making machine of the type having a housing (22) and a funnel (30) positionable relative to the housing. The blocking device (40, 40a, 40b) prevents unintended disengagement of a funnel from a corresponding housing to which at least a portion of the blocking device is attached. The blocking device includes a first engager (16) and a second engager (18). The first and second engagers are engageable when positioning a funnel on a housing. The first and second engagers are selectively disengageable when removing a funnel from a housing. The blocking device as disclosed also includes a method of retaining a funnel on a housing and a kit for attaching a blocking device to a beverage making machine which does not include a blocking device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blocking device for use with a beverage making machine of the type having a housing (22) and a funnel (30) positionable relative to the housing. The blocking device (40, 40a, 40b) prevents unintended disengagement of a funnel from a corresponding housing to which at least a portion of the blocking device is attached. The blocking device includes a first engager (16) and a second engager (18). The first and second engagers are engageable when positioning a funnel on a housing. The first and second engagers are selectively disengageable when removing a funnel from a housing. The blocking device as disclosed also includes a method of retaining a funnel on a housing and a kit for attaching a blocking device to a beverage making machine which does not include a blocking device.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a beverage apparatus such as a beverage maker and/or dispenser before shipment. The beverage apparatus includes at least one component that can produce monitorable and/or measurable characteristic. The measurable characteristic may be compared against a threshold value and may include an acceptable tolerance range. In response to an out-of tolerance condition, a fail condition is displayed, otherwise a pass condition is displayed. Also disclosed is a system for storing the measurable characteristic so that the beverage apparatus can be analyzed by comparing its current state versus the baseline state measured before the beverage apparatus was shipped.