Abstract: A drip coffee maker includes a transformable filter support that is capable of transforming into a plurality of configurations to support different sizes and/or profiles of coffee filters and/or to support different types of coffee brewing operations. In some instances, for example, a transformable filter support may be configured to include one configuration suitable for supporting a narrow-profile cone filter when brewing a single cup and/or lower volume of coffee, as well as another configuration suitable for supporting a wide-profile basket filter when brewing a full pot and/or greater volume of coffee.

Abstract: A roast level of coffee grounds used in a coffee brewing operation may be characterized based at least in part on one or more weights of the coffee grounds determined during a grinding operation, and in some instances, may be used to determine one or more brewing parameters used in the coffee brewing operation. In addition, in some instances the roast level of the coffee grounds may be determined during a grinding operation and used to control the amount of coffee grounds generated during the grinding operation.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker includes an electronically-controllable variable valve to regulate water/coffee contact time in a brew basket. In some instances, the electronically-controllable variable valve may be movable within a continuous range of positions and may be disposed downstream of the brew basket to regulate the flow rate of coffee produced in the brew basket to a brewing container. In addition, in some instances, the electronically-controllable variable valve may include a valve member that projects through a port and moves along a first axis to vary a fluid flow rate through the port, and a wedge body that moves along a second axis and includes an inclined surface capable of causing movement of the valve member along the first axis in response to movement of the wedge body along the second axis.

Abstract: A two dimensional brew selection interface is used to configure a plurality of brewing parameters used in a drip coffee brewing operation. The two dimensional brew selection interface may include a plurality of positions distributed across first and second dimensions, with each position mapped to a set of values for multiple brewing parameters such that selection of a position in the two dimensional brew selection interface enables the mapped values for the brewing parameters corresponding to the selected position to be used in the drip coffee brewing operation.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the purification of water with a photoreactor. A continuous flow water purification photoreactor having a water inlet, a plurality of illumination sources disposed about a central axis facing and having n-fold rotational symmetry about the central axis, a reaction tube, and a water outlet. The reaction tube including a set of bundled rods having m×n-fold symmetry wherein the bundled rods include a photocatalyst support material at least partially coated with a photocatalyst film.