Abstract: A brewing head of an espresso maker includes a housing, and a lower brewing head section fixedly attached to the housing. The lower brewing head section includes a pressure sealed brewing chamber, and a lifting piston forming a floor of the brewing chamber. The lifting piston has apertures therethrough. A water inlet is located beneath the floor of the brewing chamber. An apparatus for moving the lifting piston is provided. The brewing head further includes an upper brewing head section movable relative to the lower brewing head section. The upper brewing head section includes an upper brewing head housing, and a fill shaft. The fill shaft is in communication with the brewing chamber when the upper brewing head section is moved to a fill position. The upper brewing head section further includes a brewing piston positioned over the brewing chamber when the upper brewing head section is moved to a brewing position.

Abstract: An improved device for the preparation of individual coffee or tea beverages. A cylindrical, parallel walled container acts as both a brewing container and a drinking container. A plunger assembly is pushed down through the top of the container and effectively separates coffee grounds or the like from the brewed drink. A finely perforated disk having an upwardly oriented flange, is attached to the underside of a rigid perforated disk of the plunger assembly by means of a ribbed tab located at the center of the rigid perforated disk. Frictional attachment is made by inserting the ribbed tab of the rigid, perforated disk into the slot of the finely perforated disk. When removing the plunger assembly, the finely perforated disk detaches from the plunger assembly and remains in the bottom portion of the container thereby trapping the coffee grounds or the like between the finely perforated disk and the bottom of the container.

Abstract: An improved expresso coffee maker comprising an upper cylindrical container 2 threadably engaged onto a lower truncated-cone container 1, said lower container having a coffee basket assembly 3 in which a cylindrical coffee holder 4 is centered with a piston 5 sliding inside, said piston has apertures 6 to allow passage of water and steam and to create differential pressure above and below the piston, which forces the piston to compress the coffee grounds during the brewing process. The water extract of the coffee grounds passes through inverted funnel 15 and it is collected into the upper cylindrical container.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a health beverage, a food additive, and/or a perfume containing a very small amount of effective ingredient by extracting from various useful materials the effective ingredient. Water is heated and atomized, and contacts the raw material such as soy bean under decompression. The atomized water is then liquid-cooled and collected.

Abstract: A two stage coffee plunger having a movable filter element and a vertically movable baffle element for use in a vessel containing liquid and coffee grounds. The coffee filter element being hand driven through the liquid to permit passage of the liquid, but not the grounds. The baffle being independently movable between the bottom of the vessel and the filter to effect squeezing of the coffee grounds to extract coffee flavor from the grounds. The two stage coffee plunger is also designed for selective relative movement between the baffle and filter.

Abstract: The brewing device is composed of a housing part including a piston, vertically slidable in the housing part. On the housing part, a filter basket holder is mounted which is pivoted horizontally about the tilting axis and is provided with a filter basket to be filled with ground coffee. When the piston is lowered and reaches into the filter basket (i.e., its working position), the filter basket forms with it a pressure chamber, in which the ground coffee is enclosed, into which, on the piston side, hot water under pressure is urged through a conduit, and from which, on the filter basket holder side, the prepared espresso coffee beverage is discharged through at least one outlet opening. When the piston is lifted, the filter basket holder with the filter basket can be swung about a vertically extending tilting axis out of the range of effect of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic assembly for delivering infusions of coffee and the like, with means for ejecting the dry coffee grounds, characterized in that said assembly comprises a stator body, in the inside of which there is rotatably supported a rotor, including a chamber housing an infusion piston therein.The rotor can be successively located at a loading station for introducing the coffee powder, an infusion station and at an unloading station.Pressing means there are moreover provided operating on the piston for pressing the coffee powder before making the infusion, and for drying-pressing the coffee pad after having made the infusion.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for preparing a beverage, in particular coffee, of the type wherein an electric motor drives a piston in a filling chamber. In accordance with the invention, the motor power is controlled with a closed loop control, so that the rotational speed can be held constant and the attainment of an end position of the piston can be detected from the increase of the motor power required, without requiring elements mounted on parts which are to be cleaned regularly.Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to slightly press the coffee powder by means of the piston, and to slightly squeeze out the residual dregs, after the coffee-making process has ended, by means of the piston.

Abstract: A coffee maker which operates with at least one metering device having an adjustable wall, which varies the metering volume of the metering chamber. The metered powdered beverage is emptied through a movable flap and falls through a pouring funnel into an extraction chamber of an extraction cup. During the brewing process, a displaceable extraction piston is located in the brewing chamber. The movable wall and the movable extraction piston are actuated via a single operating element which acts on a transmission means.

Abstract: An automatic espresso and cappuccino machine comprises a number of individual filter units movable with respect to a coffee filling station, a coffee dispensing station, a filter cleaning station and a filter washing station. Ground coffee is introduced into each filter unit at the coffee filling station and then the filter units are selectively rotated by a filter indexing device to the coffee dispensing station where they are moved into engagement with a water nozzle which first compacts the coffee and then directs heated water through the ground coffee to form espresso. An emulisifier is also located at the coffee dispensing station, which is effective to produce foamed milk for combination with the espresso to form cappuccino.

Abstract: Device for instant, automatic, pressurized percolation of food liquids provided with a horizontal mechanical assembly including as main elements functional sections, especially a stationary rail, an infusion chamber with a movable bottom and a movable part carrying the compression piston sliding on the rail, and a filling chamber linked to the movable bottom by a rod whose position and section is adapted to control the movement of a scraper pivoting on a horizontal pivot. The invention is used for preparing espresso coffees.

Abstract: A coffee brewing machine which allows the coffee to be more rapidly removed from the lower brewing chamber by providing a vent opening which opens to relieve the vacuum and allows the coffee to be discharged. In one embodiment, the vent opening is opened and closed by a plug on the upper brewing chamber. On another embodiment the vent hole is opened and closed by an actuator. In a third embodiment, a portion of the coffee filter serves as the vent hole.

Abstract: A container includes a cap having a press slidably mounted therein. At the distal end of the press is a filter and at the other end is a handle. A user places the press in the container and adds coffee grounds or tea leaves and hot water on top of the filter. The container, coffee grounds or tea leaves, and hot water are allowed to steep for a period of time. The user then pulls upward on the handle, moving the filter from a first brewing position to a second spent position in which the coffee grounds or tea leaves are trapped between the filter and cap. In the preferred embodiment, the press is then removed from the container and the user drinks the resulting coffee, tea or other beverage directly from the container.

Abstract: Automatic machine for a coffee beverage, deliverable as coffee alone or, combined with milk, in the form of cappuccino, has a first station for the delivery of coffee alone which is positioned at a different location from a second station for delivery of cappuccino.

Abstract: An improved brewing pot is disclosed that allows the user to stop the brewing process at the point where the decoction is at the desired strength. In the preferred embodiment, the material from which a decoction is to be made is placed in a cylindrical chamber, boiling water is added, and then a circular screen carrying member, wherein the carried screen is exposed in pie shaped slots, is lowered into the chamber to approximately the level of the brewing liquid. When the brew has reached the desired strength, the screen carrying member is lowered into the liquid. The screen member is surrounded by a flexible gasket and the exposed portions of the screen itself are of sufficiently fine mesh so as to segregate the steeping material from the brewed or decanting area. The screen portions are then closed off, preventing fluid communication between the decanting chamber containing the finished brew, and the smaller area containing the brewed material, along with some amount of water.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage device. The beverage device comprises a beverage pack for adding flavor to a liquid, such as water. The beverage pack can be a tea bag but is not limited thereto. For instance, the beverage pack can also have coffee or mulling spices, as examples. The beverage device also comprises shield means for encapsulating the beverage pack within a bottom of a cup. The shield means is preferably connected to the beverage pack with a string. In one embodiment the shield means is collapsible from an open orientation to a closed orientation. In the open orientation the shield means provides flow channels for allowing the beverage pack to steep. In the closed orientation the flow channels are closed. Preferably the shield means comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is slidably connected to the second portion to allow the shield means to be moved from the open orientation to closed orientation.

Abstract: The machine is paired as concerns the receptacle (8-8') for the batched coffee and the piston (5) and (5') pressing such batches, and the ejector (12-12') in such a way that the pairing allows the machine to make one or two coffees at the same time and indeed three if one of the receptacles (8) or (8') has a double capacity and a double distribution outlet. Each seat or support (4) mounted also to turn with the main shaft (1) has a cavity in which a support (18) is positioned for a filter (19) through which the coffee infusion passes in each case. The angular separation in positioning the receptacles (8-8') is the same as for the pressing pistons (5-5') in order to allow the same to face the receptacles (8-8') simultaneously, the ejectors (12-12') for the cake (13) of used coffee being mounted with the same separation or spacing.

Abstract: A brewer for providing a single cup of coffee which comprises an outer cylindrical tubular member having an open top and a platform formed on the top. A slidable second cylindrical tubular member reciprocates within the first tubular member along the axis thereof and is provided with a gasket at the top thereof in sealing contact with the inner surface of the first tubular member. A permanent filter is provided at the top of the second cylindrical tubular member. A fixed piston head is located within the second cylindrical tubular member and is fixed relative to the first tubular member. A wiper is provided on the top platform of the first tubular member such that when the filter is in its uppermost position, the wiper can be activated to clean the coffee grounds from the filter. A pour spout is provided in the second cylindrical member which communicates with the fluid once the pour spout is above the level of the piston head.

Abstract: Automatic coffee machine has ground coffee deposited into an infusion chamber, in which it is compressed between an infuser piston and a filter piston. A packing stabilizes the seal between the infusion chamber and the infuser piston. The infuser piston is divided into two parts, with one part sliding into the other part against an opposing spring resistance.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a small-capacity coffee roaster in which, even when roasting small quantities of raw coffee beans using direct-contact heat, the temperature can easily be controlled within the range vital for the roasting of coffee beans, and proper roasting can be accomplished in a short time. The roaster 10 comprises a stirring blade 12 provided at the bottom inside a roasting container 11, a ring-shaped sheathed heater 13 provided at the upper part of the container, an exhaust opening 7 having a smoke-removal filter 14 provided in the top wall of the container, and a temperature sensor 17 for detecting the temperature of the container provided on the underside of the bottom wall of the container. In addition, the container is made of good heat-conducting aluminum.

Abstract: A coffee machine is provided having a housing containing removable first and second modules. The first module includes removably connected first and second submodules. The first submodule includes a brewing device. The second submodule includes a motor, a driving axle, gears for coupling the driving axle to the motor, and a further housing enclosing the motor and gears such that the driving axle extends through the housing and establishes a functional connection with said brewing device. The operational ability of the first module, when removed from the housing, can be checked because the means for supplying driving energy to the motor remains connected to the motor. For cleaning, the first submodule can be removed from the second submodule once electrical and liquid lines have been disconnected.

Abstract: A method for extracting the effective ingredients from dried plant materials such as coffee, black tea, green tea, herbs, and the like as a concentrated liquid, and a device for implementing that method, are disclosed whereby an effective ingredient is extracted as an extracted liquid with high clarity and high concentration from dried plant material in a short time without loss of aroma and flavor without extracting the unpleasant bitter or astringent taste resulting from the extraction of tannin, while also sterilizing the extracted liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing coffee, tea and other beverages which consists of a lower and upper chamber which move relative to one another. The upper chamber allows the mixing of the coffee and water. The lower chamber has a filter element at the top which allows the coffee liquid to move from the upper chamber to the lower chamber while leaving the residue on the filter element. A piston in the lower chamber forces air through the water and coffee to agitate it and then sucks the coffee liquid through the filter element into the lower chamber. The coffee liquid then exits the lower chamber through an opening in the lower chamber and goes into a cup. The upper chamber then raises and separates from the lower chamber and a wiper blade which is connected to the upper chamber cleans the filter element and pushes the coffee grounds into a residue container.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing coffee, tea or other beverages that has upper and lower chambers that move relative to each other. When the upper and lower chambers are joined, coffee and water are supplied to the upper brewing chamber which passes through a filter mounted on the top of the lower brewing chamber into the lower brewing chamber and the coffee grounds remain on the filter. A piston in the lower chamber forces air through the liquid to agitate it and sucks it through the filter into the lower chamber. The coffee flows from the lower chamber and then a single push rod separates the upper and lower chambers. A wiper blade then removes the coffee grounds from the filter while the chambers are separated after which the push rod reseals the upper and lower chambers together for the next brewing cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for brewing a coffee beverage from coffee grounds and hot water includes a housing and a base member within the housing. The base member incorporates a generally horizontal porous surface. A brewing cylinder is located within the housing and is located above and generally axially aligned with the porous surface of the base member. The brewing cylinder is movable from a first position in which the bottom of the brewing cylinder is sealingly engaged with the base member and surrounds at least a portion of the porous surface and a second position in which the brewing cylinder is separated from the base member. A mixing channel has a first end communicating with the interior of the brewing cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is a tea bag or coffee bag squeezer that uses a pair of flat, opposed perforated plates in connection with a pair of pivotally mounted arms that pivot the plates together. The plates are of substantially flat construction and preferable made of perforated stainless steel.

Abstract: An ejection device includes an ejection part (17) which is swivelingly fastened to a brewing cylinder (9) displaceably disposed along a parallel driving spindle (6), and a nose (22) disposed on a sidewall (2) of a frame (1). Mounted within and closing a cylindrical bore of the brewing cylinder are first and second pistons. The second piston (8) is, upon a downwardly movement of the brewing cylinder (9) away from the first piston, displaceable to a first or upper end of the brewing cylinder. Ground coffee (40) pressed into a cake is conveyed out of the brewing cylinder (9) during this displacement movement and rests upon a cambered end face (42) of the second piston (8). The ejection part (17) includes two rocking levers (18, 19) which extend at the sides of the brewing cylinder (9) longitudinally thereto and are swivelingly mounted in a lower region of the brewing cylinder (9) about a swivel axis (23). Ends of the rocking levers (18, 19) remote from the swivel axis are connected to an ejection plate (20).

Abstract: The brewing device comprises a brewing cylinder (9) with a cylindrical bore (10), in which a lower piston (8) is disposed freely moveable and longitudinally displaceable. An upper piston (7) is rigidly connected to a frame (1). Parallel to the vertically disposed brewing cylinder (9) there is a drive spindle (6) which has guide means (23). A drive element (24) connected to the brewing cylinder has further guide means (25) which engage with those of the drive spindle (6). By rotating the drive spindle (6) in one or the other direction, the brewing cylinder is displaced upwards or downwards. Through a pivotable hopper (12), the coffee powder is filled into the brewing cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for beverage brewing using heated liquid to infuse a beverage brewing substance during a brewing cycle. The apparatus includes a brew chamber which is positioned for communication with a reservoir having a filter positioned between the brew chamber and the reservoir. A quantity of beverage brewing substance is placed in the brew chamber and a quantity of heated water is placed in the reservoir. A pumping device pumps the water in the reservoir to the brew chamber to infuse the beverage brewing substance and produce a brewed beverage. The brewed beverage created in the brew chamber drains through the filter between the brew chamber and the reservoir and is captured by the reservoir. The brewed beverage and any remaining heated water are recirculated through the beverage brewing substance in the brew chamber for a period of time. At a desired period in the brewing cycle, a valve connected to the reservoir is operated to open the reservoir and drain the brewed beverage therefrom.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus has a brewing cylinder (1) with a cylindrical bore (2) and two pistons (3, 4). The brewing cylinder (1) and the pistons (3, 4) are disposed displaceably relative to one another. In a brewing position the brewing cylinder (1) and the two pistons (3, 4) within the latter form a brewing chamber (5) in order to scald ground coffee therein through the feed of pressurized water. This water is fed to the brewing chamber (5) via a connection fitting (18) and via a through bore which extends through the wall of the brewing cylinder (1), into an annular gap (14) which is formed between a gasket (11) and the end face (13) of the second piston (4) facing the brewing chamber (5). Via a strainer (32), a conduit (34), and a further connection fitting (35), the coffee is discharged. Through the arrangement of the gap (14), the face (13) of the second piston ( 4) can be made without a strainer. The feeding of pressurized water to the gap (14) causes a self-cleaning effect in the latter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing coffee beverages in coffee machines wherein all of the residual water remaining between the boiler and the outlet is removed from the coffee machine between every two cycles of coffee beverage preparation. It also provides an apparatus for preparing coffee beverages comprising means for draining all of the residual water remaining between the boiler and the outlet from the coffee machine after each cycle of coffee beverage preparation. These measures secure that the residual water remaining in the apparatus after the brewing cycle is nearly completely drained from said apparatus. This guarantees that such a coffee machine prepares a beverage which meets the requirements of the user with respect to taste and temperature. Moreover, this beverage is impeccable as to its hygienic and microbiological condition.

Abstract: An espresso coffee machine has a vertically movable snout that supplies hot water under pressure of a pump (13), to coffee (8) held in a filter (7) on a stationary support (9). The snout (10) which penetrates inside the filter (7), is mounted on the first part (22) of a hydraulic jack (21) actuated by the pressurized water supplied by the pump (13). The second part (88) of the jack is adapted to be moved against the action of an antagonistic spring (98) in order to permit the optimum deployment of the jack (21) when the snout (10) is in contact with the ground coffee (8) in the filter (7). This construction is useful for limiting the mechanical stresses on the component parts of the jack, and the pressure exerted by the snout on the ground coffee.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine for dispensing coffee infusions wherein a quantity of coffee is duly batched and compacted, and hot water is passed over the batched coffee thereby to obtain a coffee infusion which is discharged and collected in a suitable can, comprises a batcher and a mechanism for obtaining the infusion. The batcher includes a cylindrical body with a rotary vane in which two cavities are formed, which are alternately filled with batched coffee to be hauled upon rotation, to an ejector duct reaching a receptacle, the bottom of which is formed by a lower seat. The lower seat and the receptacle are mounted on a common shaft which can travel up and down and can rotate to allow the batched coffee to be carried from the ejector duct to face a compacting piston provided in a fixed body so that a batched coffee is compacted and hot water is passed therethrough. The shaft is driven by a cylinder piston.

Abstract: A machine which dispenses beverages from sachets containing a beverage-producing material injects liquid into the sachet. A pressure-sensitive base seam of the sachet is opened by liquid pressure. To prevent the base seam opening explosively and spray solids or liquid away from the beverage receptacle directly below the sachet, a heat source is employed to weaken the seam prior to opening, so that it opens non-explosively by peeling in a controlled manner. The heat source can be internal (an initial volume of hot liquid at a pressure insufficient to break the seal) or external such as a radiant source, hot air or steam. Such a machine is particularly advantageous for dispensing hot chocolate.

Abstract: The brewing apparatus (2) comprises lateral guiding and holding plates (6, 7) for securing and guiding individual components thereof. A movable brewing piston (39) is guided in a cylindrical guideway (8) provided with an external thread (93). A nut (9) rotatable on the guideway has teeth (10) at its periphery and is moved on the guideway by a motor-driven, elongated gearwheel (11). Lateral guide arms (14, 15) engage the nut and the brewing piston and control the pivoting movement of a brewing cylinder (82). The brewing cylinder has two arms provided with teeth (86, 87), these arms co-operating with a drive part (26) for moving an ejection piston (107) in the brewing cylinder. The drive part for the ejection piston is designed in such a way that it travels only half as far as the ejection piston and thus allows the coffee machine to have less headroom.

Abstract: An automatic coffee-making machine including a drive unit consisting of a direct-current motor having an output shaft provided with a worm screw actuating a sealed rod of a valve body and engaging with a slider movable linearly at a right angle to an axis of rotation of the motor shaft, a shaped member connected with the slider and receiving a free end of a rod of piston, and a device for monitoring and controlling the power input to motor, determining a start and an end of strokes of the piston during the phases of downward movement and compression of the powdered coffee.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for wetting and dissolving finely divided dry particles, including hygroscopic particles such as coffee fines, in a liquid, including viscous liquids such as concentrated coffee liquor, in a manner in which foaming, the presence of wet lumps and liquor degradation are minimized. The apparatus includes a dissolving tank containing at least one pair of counter-rotating drums partially submerged in a body of the dissolving liquid. The tank includes a liquid inlet and a discharge conduit which maintain a predetermined level of liquid in the tank. A powder feeding device mounted above the tank discharges a falling curtain of particles onto a thin layer of liquid on the surface of one of the drums in each counter-rotating pair.

Abstract: A coffee dispensing and brewing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises components for dispensing a predetermined amount of coffee to a brew basket, the components including a hopper for holding a supply of coffee beans and an auger device communicating with the hopper for portioning coffee beans in a predetermined amount to a coffee grinder. The apparatus further includes a brew basket holding assembly for releasably holding the brew basket in a region adjacent a passageway to the grinder and a hot water making and delivery system for distributing a predetermined volume of hot water from a hot water holding tank to the region during a brewing cycle. The grinder motor has a right angle power transmission that couples the moter to the grinder with the motor being located below the grinder and adjacent a vertical side of the holding tank.

Abstract: The material pack opening apparatus of the invention comprises: a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart teeth shaped sting edges arranged in an front-to-end (longitudinal) direction; a transverse sting edges arranged perpendicular to, and at substantially intermediate position of, said paired sting edges; and a platform for holding thereon said sting edges, said apparatus enabling a material pack at the bottom of multiple packs each containing powder material and stacked on an article stock rack, to be cut open the bottom of the lowest material pack widely along two cut lines by pressing from above said packs, and, by vibrating said platform, enabling the bottom pack unpacked, freeing the powder material almost completely into a material accommodation unit in a short time.

Abstract: The invention provides a coffee brewing machine, comprising a container for fresh cold water, a boiler for heating the fresh cold water, a brewing chamber adapted to receive coffee powder, a pump for feeding the fresh cold water from the container to the boiler and therefrom into the brewing chamber, a piston fitting into the brewing chamber and being movably mounted such that it can be moved into the brewing chamber to compress the coffee powder contained in the brewing chamber and removed from the brewing chamber, and an electric DC motor for driving the piston into the brewing chamber and for retracting it out of the brewing chamber. In order to provide for a simple connection of the electric motor to the mains voltage, a drop resistor and a rectifier diode are connected in series with the electric motor. The drop resistor simultaneously serves as a heating element for a hotplate on which the coffee cups can be preheated.

Abstract: A machine for making coffee has a cylindrical chamber in which the head walls are made up of two pistons mounted on circulating ball screw actuators. Once the coffee powder is put into the chamber, the pistons are brought together to exert pressure, after which hot water is introduced to make the infusion. A motor for one of the actuators is in a lower casing on which the chamber is directly mounted for compact construction.

Abstract: The present invention involves an improvement to a beverage making apparatus in which a slide valve assembly for preventing moisture from seeping into an area holding the solid component of a beverage mix is provided with a finger tab. The tab serves as a grasping device to manipulate the slide valve between open and shut positions and as a deflector of the solid material ejected from the holding area.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing beverages such as coffee or tea, comprising a filter unit (3), and extraction chamber (1) positioned above the filter unit, and a reception chamber (2) positioned underneath the filter unit, which reception chamber at the bottom part thereof comprises a discharge channel (9) for discharging the prepared beverage. The apparatus comprises furthermore reservoirs for supplying coffee or tea powder (7) and hot water (6) in the extraction chamber to prepare an extract during a predetermined extraction period, and a control unit (13) controlling the various components such that after activating said reservoirs for supplying predetermined amounts of hot water and coffee or tea powder in the extraction chamber (1), an extraction period is measured during which the extraction porcess is completed, after which the pump (11) unit is activated to suction the prepared extract through the filter paper web (3).

Abstract: A device for preparing hot beverages such as coffee by extraction having an extraction cup (5) movable from an outset position to an extraction position along a control track (2) in a mounting plate (1) by a movable holder (4). The extraction cup (5) is detachably secured to the movable holder (4). The extraction cup (5) is filled from a coffee grinding unit (3) and is then displaced along the horizontal portion (2') of the control track (2) laterally until it is located vertically below an extraction piston (11), whereupon it moves vertically upward. In this manner, the ground coffee is compressed. Simultaneously, through a hot water inlet neck (8), communication with a hot water heater (10) is established. After the extraction, a stop (15) is displaced beneath a tappet (7) supported in the extraction cup (5) and keeps the tappet at the top of the extraction cup (5) during the downward motion of the extraction cup (5).

Abstract: A bottle sling formed of a flexible web is arranged in surrounding and engaging securement relative to a drinking container, with a support ring mounting a flexible strap adjacent an upper distal end of the container for support of the web of the container about an individual's torso portion. A modification of the invention includes an agitator pump arranged within the fluid coaxially of a drinking tube directed through the container and a flavored tablet dispenser in communication with an interior portion of the container for projecting flavoring tablets within the container.

Abstract: A brewing means (1) for a coffee machine with a brewing chamber (3) is described, which is disposed in a housing (2) provided with an opening (9) on a front side. The opening (9) can be closed by means of a closing element (10) sealed against the opening. A hot water line (11) is furthermore provided, which supplies hot brewing water to the brewing chamber (3) under pressure and supports at the same time the sealing of the opening (9). In order to design such a brewing means (1) in such fashion that the service life of the seal (21) can be increased, it is suggested that the seal (21) comprises a flexible membrane disposed between a sealing chamber (22) connected to the hot water line (11) and a sealing seat (19), which can be arched and pressed against the sealing seat by means of the pressure.

Abstract: A coffee making machine for automatically producing coffee solution from unroasted coffee beans comprises a roaster for holding coffee beans and roasting the dried coffee beans into roasted coffee beans, a milling/extracting unit for grinding the roasted coffee beans into ground coffee and extracting coffee solution from the ground coffee, a blower for blowing air into the milling/extracting unit to cool the roasted coffee beans before they are ground, a pouring unit for pouring hot water onto the ground coffee and extracting the coffee solution therefrom, a coffee server for receiving the coffee solution from the milling/extracting unit, and means for supplying the coffee solution from the milling/extracting unit to the coffee server. The operation of the roaster, the supply of roasted coffee beans from the roaster to the milling/extracting unit, and the operation of the milling/extracting unit, the blower and the pouring unit are automatically performed at predetermined timings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved system design associated with the storage and/or utilization of any edible such as tea, coffee, soups, and the like, that is contained in a bag structure. The invention defines a compact enclosure capable of providing air tight packaging, whereupon, removal of the lid of the packaging enclosure of the device allows for the removal of the straining container and the edible contained within the bag structure. The bag structure has affixed to the free end of a string attached to the bag structure, a disk member whose dimensions are compatible, with the opening appearing in the straining container contained within the packaging enclosure. The straining container additionally has formed through the bottom portion thereof, holes to allow for the passage of a liquid squeezed from said bag structure in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A beverage extracting or brewing apparatus for vending machines includes a mixing ball for mixing water and raw material of a beverage, a cylinder having a spherical upper inner surface, a straight cylindrical communication path between the mixing ball and the cylinder having a flush inner surface, a valve opening and closing an inflow port of the cylinder and having a spherical upper surface, a valve shaft functioning as part of a pressurized air supply path into the cylinder, a filter positioned at the bottom of the cylinder and a pressurization device for supplying the pressurized air into the cylinder to forcibly filter the mixture liquid in the cylinder through the filter. The mixture liquid from the mixing ball can be sufficiently and efficiently mixed and stirred in the communication path and even in the cylinder, and smoothly flows into the cylinder through the space between the spherical inner surface of the cylinder and the spherical upper surface of the valve.

Abstract: A method for producing aqueous extracts from ground coffee, by adding coffee to a vessel; adding heated water to the vessel; stirring the resulting coffee-water mixture during a predetermined brewing time to produce an even distribution of coffee in the mixture and to allow expulsion of gas from the mixture; and filtering the coffee-water mixture at the end of the predetermined brewing time to produce a filtered aqueous coffee extract.