Abstract: A dual brewing system for a vending machine in which a pair of separate brewers are mounted for simultaneous movement through a brewing and dumping cycle even though only one of the brewers is actually used to brew a beverage, such as tea or coffee, at a time. A filter paper feed mechanism is provided for one of the brewers used primarily for coffee. The paper feed mechanism is controlled so that it is only advance after the brewer which it is associated with is used and not when the other brewer is used.

Abstract: A automated, milk inclusive espresso coffee machine which includes a fully automatic coffee grinding and brewing apparatus and a steam generator for driving a venturi mixing device which draws ambient air and milk from a refrigerated source for making milk inclusive espresso beverages, all milk contacting surfaces being either refrigerated or steam cleaned with each beverage made and served. A novel microprocessor controls all operations including brewing, steam generating, water heating, refrigerating, operations parameters, measuring and monitoring, many "house-keeping" functions and others.

Abstract: An electrically actuated Libation Glatiation Device (Z) that may be removably secured to a food or liquid holding device (F), container, or the like, which will generate a draft in a desired direction that is of material assistance in cooling food or liquid held by the food or liquid holding device (F), container, or the like.

Abstract: An automatic food vending machine comprises: a cooking means for cooking food materials; a first storage means for preserving food materials for a long period; a second storage means for preserving food materials in a condition that they can be instantly cooked by said cooking means; a first transport means for transporting food materials from said first storage means to said second storage means; and a second transport means for transporting food materials from said second storage means to said cooking means. A large quantity of food materials may be stored in the first storage means and transported to the second storage means by the first transport means as required. In the second storage means the food materials are stored so that they may be instantly cooked. The apparatus permits on one hand preservation of a large amount of food materials without deterioration and on the other hand prepare them for quick heat treatment for sale.

Abstract: A dispensing stick is provided for selectively dispensing stick contained substance or substances into liquid in a container, the container having a dispensing lid through which the stick extends.

Abstract: A system for preventing the escape of moisture from a beverage preparing device, such as a coffee brew basket, into apparatus for delivering a dry particulate food product, such as a coffee grinder, to the device during the beverage preparing process. The system includes a support plate containing a rectangular opening. A brew basket can be removably suspended from the plate under the opening. An elongated rod, rotatable about its longitudinal axis, is connected across the plate so as to extend across an edge of the opening. A flap is fixedly attached to the rod for tilting as the rod rotates between a closed position in which the opening is sealed against moisture penetration and a downwardly extending position such that the food product can be delivered through the opening to the basket. A spring biases the rod to an angular position of rotation such that the flap is normally closed to seal the opening.

Abstract: A combined beverage (coffee and tea) brewer and hot water dispenser wherein the hot water for both brewing and dispensing is supplied from the upper portion of the same hot water reservoir tank. The cold water supply to the bottom portion of the reservoir tank for displacing and replacing hot water for brewing is separate from that for displacing and replacing hot water for dispensing whereby hot water may be dispensed and replaced at anytime, including during the brew cycle, without interference with brewing.

Abstract: A beverage maker and serving unit system comprising a beverage maker and a portable beverage server. The beverage maker supports a brewing funnel over a platform on which the server sets when positioned to receive a stream of fresh brewed coffee or tea from the brewing funnel. When the system is designed for making iced tea the beverage maker will have a separate outlet for discharging diluting water into an opening in the server when the server is positioned all the way back on the platform. For support, the server has a set of front legs, a set of rear legs, and a set of intermediate legs all of which rest on the platform when the server is being filled. The server also has a lifting bail which cannot be fully raised until the server is filled and moved forward on the platform to where the intermediate legs engage upstanding detents on the front of the platform. When the server is setting back on the platform and being filled, the front legs engage the detents.

Abstract: The present specification discloses an improved type of "Espresso" coffee machine where the means (22) for the production and distribution of hot water and steam are independent from the means (5) used for the production of the espresso coffee itself.In this way the construction of the "espresso" coffee machines is very simplified and is possible to easily assemble various type of machines to meet whatever customer's requirements.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine includes a hot beverage serving element and cold beverage serving element for selective use. The cold beverage serving element comprises a carbonated beverage producing device and non-carbonated beverage producing device, the non-carbonated beverage being produced from hot beverage. The hot beverage serving element is provided with two discharge ducts for conducting the brewed beverages and one of the ducts passes through a cooled water tank for cooling the hot beverage to be served as a cold drink.

Abstract: A satellite coffee brewing system (10) includes a central brewing unit (11) cooperative with a plurality of like satellite receptacle units (12) for the storage and dispensing of hot coffee while positioned with the central brewing unit or at remote stations in a restaurant. The central brewing unit (11) comprises a siphon-type hot water system that directs the hot brewing water to an adjustable brew chamber (14) which is capable of discharging coffee in at least two different orientations whereby to alternately fill satellite units (12) arranged at any of said filling orientation. The central brewing unit includes a by-pass valve (44) capable of directing a portion of the hot water to by-pass the coffee grounds held inside a filter (50) in the brew chamber (14) by a basket (49) and spacers (47) so that the by-pass water flows around the filter (50) and into the satellite receptacle whereby the coffee grounds are prevented from being overextracted.

Abstract: A combination beverage brewer and hot water dispenser having a hot water supply tank from which hot water may be selectively supplied to either a beverage brewing funnel or to a hot water tank equipped with a faucet. Cool or cold water may be introduced into the hot water supply tank to displace an equal volume of hot water and maintain the hot water supply tank in filled condition. Hot water can be drawn off through the faucet at the same time hot water is flowing from the hot water supply tank to the brewing funnel and without interfering with the brewing operation.

Abstract: A compact self-contained travel kit for brewing a beverage, such as tea, coffee, or the like, includes an open top container which is adapted to receive a small quantity of water to be heated by means of an electric heater element contained in the bottom of the container. A removable insert assembly is received within the container through the open top and provides upwardly open storage compartments for containing the ingredients for making tea or coffee, such as sugar, powdered cream material, coffee, tea or the like, which compartments are closable by lids so that either individual packets or bulk material may be stored. The insert includes a downwardly depending semi-conical portion which is proportioned and adapted to be telescopically received in the uppermost one of a pair of nested drinking cups storable within the container. The nested drinking cups are thus retained in place in a compact manner and are accessible by removal of the insert from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for making a drip-type coffee beverage wherein the apparatus has a separate flow path for receiving and reheating a previously filtered coffee brew.

Abstract: A coffee maker is comprised of a container having a pneumatically sealed, thermally insulated storage vessel arranged to receive brewed coffee from the brewing apparatus of the coffee maker through a reservoir located in the container and interconnected with the vessel by means of a passageway. Pressurized air can be introduced into the vessel by actuation of a pump mechanism located in the container to force coffee out of the vessel through a spout which extends from near the bottom of the vessel and projects outside of the container. A check valve located in the passageway prevents the pressurized air from the pump mechanism from escaping through the reservoir. The container is removable from the coffee brewer for remote serving and cleaning and the coffee maker is indexed to provide for locating the container relative to the coffee maker so that the reservoir is in the proper position to receive the brewed coffee from the coffee brewing apparatus.

Abstract: A device for separating coffee grounds from rinse water is disposed beneath a drain pipe of the coffee-making machine. This device comprises a tubular jacket having on the top side thereof an inlet opening for admitting rinse water containing coffee grounds. Detachably connected to one end of the jacket is a funnel-shaped, resilient end piece having a small aperture. On the underside of the jacket is a slot in which a strainer is inserted, through which rinse water but not coffee grounds can flow out of the jacket. Within the jacket there is a piston slidingly driven by a drive piston for pressing rinse water out of the coffee grounds. In order for the coffee grounds to leave the jacket, sufficient pressure must be exerted on the grounds to press part of them through the thus widened aperture in the resilient end piece. By separating the coffee grounds from the rinse water, the device keeps the grounds out of the sewer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for brewing, dispensing and storing coffee involves the use of a movable liquid-gas separation member floatingly mounted on the top level of the brewed coffee so as to exclude air therefrom. The liquid-gas separation member is mounted so as to separate the storage container into a liquid containing portion and a gas containing portion. A vent from the gas containing portion of the container allows for the passage of air into and out of the container as coffee is introduced into the container or is withdrawn therefrom. By this method, the coffee can be stored for long periods of time at serving temperature without developing an acrid or strong, objectionable taste.

Abstract: A distilled water apparatus which comprises in nested vapor-sealed arrangement, a bottom raw water tank, a storage tank and a cooling and condensing tank. The storage tank has an outer annular storage compartment surrounding a vertical vapor passage and can be equipped with a basket for holding coffee or the like so that the device acts as a self-contained distilled water coffee maker.