Abstract: A hot beverage brewer (10) having a hot water dispense system (12), a brew basket assembly (18) for holding ingredient to be mixed with the hot water to make a freshly brewed hot beverage and a controller (16) for controlling the delivery of hot water from the hot water dispenser system to the brew basket (18) with a spray distribution assembly (14) having a spray head (20) having a generally vertical passageway (22) for receipt of hot water and a spray plate (38) with a an umbrella-like body (34) with a downwardly, outwardly tapered top with radiating, outwardly, downwardly directed, upwardly facing grooves and an upwardly standing central core (58) snuggly received within the passageway (22) joined to the top of the umbrella-like member (34) with a plurality of radially, outwardly facing grooves (68) extending from the top to the bottom to form a plurality of peripheral closed channels for passing hot water to upwardly facing grooves (74) of the umbrella-like body.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker is provides including a means for delaying the release of brewed coffee from the brew basket assembly position in a brew basket housing. The brew basket assembly includes an upper basket portion vertically movably mounted with respect to a lower basket portion. A bias member is interposed between the basket portions, vertically biasing the upper basket portion with respect to the lower basket portion. A basket valve is included in the upper and lower basket portions, and is actuatable between an open and a closed position. A carafe is included, and has a lid portion with a lid aperture therein. The carafe is removably positionable under the brew basket assembly with the lid aperture proximal to the basket valve. The basket valve opens when the weight of the hot water and coffee grounds in the upper basket portion exceeds a threshold weight of the bias members.

Abstract: A beverage making apparatus, method, method of using such a beverage making apparatus and method of cleaning a beverage making apparatus is disclosed. The beverage making apparatus includes a liquid basin (16) for receiving a quantity of liquid and is in communication with a reservoir (20) for retaining a volume of heated liquid. A control valve (40) is provided and positioned for communication with the basin and reservoir for controlling flow of liquid from the basin to the reservoir. A controller (14) is coupled to the control valve for at least selectively operating the control valve for selectively controlling the flow of liquid from the basin to the reservoir. The control valve can be selectively operated to produce a generally continuous flow of liquid from the basin to the reservoir or may be controller for multiple dispensings of liquid from the basin to the reservoir during a brewing cycle.

Abstract: A drink extracting apparatus includes a cup body having a cup shape. The cup body has an upper opening for supplying a drink material and a liquid and a lower opening for discharging a drink obtained by being extracted from the drink material. Inside a lower portion of the cup body, a filter body being convex upward is removably disposed. The filter body covers the upper side of the lower opening of the cup body, and traps the drink material and allows the drink to pass through to the lower opening side.

Abstract: A brewing device of a coffeemaker includes a base to which a filter cup loaded with ground coffee is assembled from below. Hot water in a heating tank of a delivery system is guided into a guide tube of the brewing device, flows through a sliding element and a downward pressing element, and finally drips onto and thus infuses the ground coffee in the filter cup, thereby making caffè espresso. When the delivery system switches to a different waterway and guides the hot water through a lower water inlet opening at the filter cup, caffè Americano, i.e., a diluted caffè espresso, is made instead. Thus, the coffeemaker is capable of making both caffè espresso and caffè Americano. Besides, the hot water guided through the lower water inlet opening at the filter cup also purges a bottom space in the filter cup of coffee ground.

Abstract: A dripless brew basket including a brew basket, having an opening provided through its bottom wall, a vacuum breaker sleeve fixedly mounted thereto, the upper part of the vacuum breaker sleeve having apertures or ports provided therethrough, to allow the brewed beverage to flow into the sleeve and be dispensed from the brew basket, during application. A vacuum breaker cap mounts on to the upper end of the sleeve, to act as a fluid levelers for the brewed beverage provided within the basket, during a brewing operation, and once the brewed beverage has been dispensed through the breaker sleeve, it reaches the bottom level of the sleeve ports, thereby preventing an further discharge of fluid from the brew basket, including the elimination of any drippage, in providing for the dripless brew basket of this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a beverage brewing machine includes a filter pack containing an amount of grinds to brew approximately only a single serving of brewed beverage, a single serving disposable brew basket including a body defining a brewing reservoir. The body is formed with a disposable rigid construction. The body has an opening therethrough to permit a brewed beverage to flow from the brewing reservoir of the disposable brew basket into a beverage container. The body extends upwardly from a bottom of the brewing reservoir to an open top that is configured to receive heated water from the brewing machine. The heated water flows through the open top during a brewing operation. The brewing reservoir has a size dimensioned appropriate to make approximately only a single serving of beverage during a single brewing operation. The brewing area is sufficiently large to hold the filter pack and the heated water while brewing without a level of the heated water rising above and overflowing the open top.

Abstract: A foldable brew basket has a rectangular bottom panel with an aperture through it, four side panels, and at least two rim panels. Two of the side panels are made of sub-panels with hingeable interconnections, while two of the side panels are flat. Like side panels are hingeably attached to opposite edges of the rectangular bottom panel and hingeably connected at their ends to unlike side panels. The rim panels are hingeably attached to the top edge of like side panels. In a usable configuration, the foldable brew basket has its sides approximately vertical with the rim panels approximately horizontal. In a folded configuration, the flat sides are folded toward the center of the bottom panel, while the side panels having sub-panels fold either inwardly or outwardly, flexing between the sub-panels. Some embodiments will also have a water permeable filter pouch containing brewing material.

Abstract: A portable kit for brewing beverages has a brace the rests atop a drinking cup, a tubular riser that rests atop the brace, a bottom ring with a folding handle, one or more reuseable or disposable filters, one of which is secured to the bottom ring by a top ring, and a sprinkler with a hemispherical reservoir that is penetrated by tubes that evenly distribute fluid from the reservoir into the filter. When beverage material is placed in the filter, fluids poured into the sprinkler pass through the beverage material and the filter and collect in the drinking cup. Alternately, the bottom ring may rest directly on the drinking cup with the filter extending into the drinking cup so that a steeped beverage may be brewed. The components may be disassembled and carried in a small pouch.

Abstract: Avionic funnel integrally connected to a supporting planar platform in combination with an essentially flat disposable filter that is transformed into a three-dimensional conic configuration disposed to be inserted into the conic funnel. The apex of the conic funnel is truncated and projected through a first circular orifice at the approximate center of the supporting planar platform such that an effluent is focused into a receiving vessel upon which the supporting planar platform is placed. A second orifice vents air displaced by the effluent. A tab-like member and/or handle are used to hold or hang the apparatus. The apparatus has special applications for brewing beverages such as coffee by using nonproprietary nonpreformed low-cost generic circular paper filters such as those used in consumer coffeemakers as well as eliminating auxiliary laboratory equipment needed to vertically hold Buchner type funnels.

Abstract: A portable tea maker includes an upper pot body, a ring, and a lower pot body. The upper pot body has a pyramid installed inside thereof. A filter is installed inside the pyramid and a through hole is formed to the pyramid. The ring is hollow and an isolated sheet is arranged in the middle thereof. The lower pot body has an outlet portion on an end thereof. A receiving space is formed to another end of the lower pot body so as to receive the ring. By twisting the upper pot body from the lower pot body, the tea will be separated from the tea leaves. The tea is available for drinking by turning the up side down of the upper pot body and the lower pot body.

Abstract: A composite strainer pot has a base, a container mounted on the base, a connecting dish combining the base and the container, a filter assembly mounted in the container and a valve assembly mounted between the base and the container. The container that is usually filled with hot water can be made with glass to maintain the quality and the lifespan. The base that is placed on a table or the like can be made with plastic to reduce the cost and is not easily damaged. Therefore, the strainer pot is durable and has a prolonged useful life.

Abstract: A non-electric drip style coffee maker including a pot member having each of a handle member and a pouring spout. A basket like member for holding a filter having ground coffee disposed therein. Such basket like member includes at least one aperture formed through a bottom surface thereof for allowing freshly brewed coffee to pass therethrough and into such pot member. A generally hollow hot water reservoir having apertures formed through a bottom surface thereof and a predetermined diameter opening adjacent a top thereof is provided. There is a lid member having a predetermined size which will enable such lid member to cover both the opening in such hot water reservoir and the opening in such pot member. The lid member includes a grip member connected to an outer surface thereof for ease of placing and removing such lid.

Abstract: A brew basket for an automatic drip coffee maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A coffee filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing.

Abstract: A percolating device includes a tank operable to hold liquid and having a top portion, a side wall, and a bottom portion. A strainer basket is positioned near the top portion of the tank and is operable to contain coffee grounds. A heating element is operable to heat a liquid contained in the tank and a tube directs heated liquid from the heating element to the strainer basket such that the heated liquid enters the strainer basket. A partition sealably engages the side wall of the tank and is operable to substantially separate liquid that has entered and fallen through the strainer basket from liquid that has not entered and fallen through the strainer basket.

Abstract: A brew basket for a hot beverage maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing. An adaptor can be integrally attached to the brew basket to give a user an option to place a second filter pod in the brew basket to yield more or stronger brewed beverage.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a coffee maker includes a housing, the housing structured to hold a carafe in a first position within a brewing area of the coffee maker. The coffee maker further includes a brewbasket adapted to connect to the housing and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is structured to engage the carafe and lock it into the first position in the brewing area, such that the carafe remains in the first position relative to the brewbasket, and the brew basket remains in first position locked directly to the housing by the locking mechanism as a second position of the brewbasket changes with respect to a reference point that is external to the coffee maker.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker is provides including a means for delaying the release of brewed coffee from the brew basket assembly position in a brew basket housing. The brew basket assembly includes an upper basket portion vertically movably mounted with respect to a lower basket portion. A bias member is interposed between the basket portions, vertically biasing the upper basket portion with respect to the lower basket portion. A basket valve is included in the upper and lower basket portions, and is actuatable between an open and a closed position. A carafe is included, and has a lid portion with a lid aperture therein. The carafe is removably positionable under the brew basket assembly with the lid aperture proximal to the basket valve. The basket valve opens when the weight of the hot water and coffee grounds in the upper basket portion exceeds a threshold weight of the bias members.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing a brew substance with a liquid comprises: a container for storing the liquid, the container including at least one aperture for dispensing liquid therefrom; a sealed packet of filter paper containing the brew substance; and a layer of heat sensitive film encapsulating the sealed packet, the encapsulated packet disposed within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture, the container configured to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof.

Abstract: A coffee maker including a base, a housing, a hopper, a burr grinding assembly, and a brew basket is provided for automatic self-metered grinding and brewing of coffee. A cover is provided for the brew basket to prevent moisture from reaching the whole coffee beans in the hopper.

Abstract: The coffee maker comprises a height adjustment assembly by means of which the height position of a collecting tray, adapted to receive one or two coffee cups to be filled with coffee beverage, is adjustable. The collecting tray is attached to a support member. The height adjustment assembly comprises at least one vertically extending gear rack that can be non-positively engaged by a slider provided at the support member. The slider is biased by a spring towards the gear rack and can be manually displaced against the force of the spring.

Abstract: A water dispenser is provided which includes a housing for the dispenser, a dispensing area associated with the housing and including a space for receiving a receptacle for receiving a charge of water from the dispenser, a water outlet through which water is dispensed into the dispensing area, and a fixed flange support positioned between the water outlet and the dispensing area arranged to receive a flavor insert device in a substantially horizontally sliding manner. The flavor insert device includes a cup having a flange extending around at least a portion of a periphery of the cup, a porous enclosure located in the cup, and a supply of solid flavor particles contained in the porous enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing a brew substance with a liquid comprises: a container for storing the liquid, the container including at least one aperture for dispensing liquid therefrom; a sealed packet of filter paper containing the brew substance; and a layer of heat sensitive film encapsulating the sealed packet, the encapsulated packet disposed within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture, the container configured to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof.

Abstract: A beverage brewing system is adapted to have a brewing configuration, in which, a brewing chamber has a brewing substance therein, a bottle initially has a fluid therein, a lid is located over a cup, the bottle is removably attached to the lid and located over the lid, the brewing chamber is located between the bottle and the cup, and a blow-out valve is located between the bottle and the brewing chamber so that the blow-out valve initially hinders a flow of the fluid from the bottle to the brewing chamber. The blow-out valve is adapted to be breached at a predetermined pressure when the fluid is heated to allow the fluid to pass through the brewing chamber into the cup to form a brewed fluid. The entire system is preferably disposable and microwavable. Preferably, the system has a compact storage configuration and a portable drinking configuration as well.

Abstract: The assembly for use in a coffee machine comprises a container having a bowl-shaped inner space bounded by a bottom having at least one outlet opening and at least one vertical sidewall. The assembly further comprises a pill-shaped pouch manufactured from filtering paper and filled with ground coffee, accommodated in the inner space of the container. The pouch extends over the bottom to a position adjacent the vertical sidewall. In the bottom, a number of channel-shaped grooves are provided, extending in radial direction of the container to the outlet opening. The grooves extend from a position located at a distance from the sidewall in the direction of the outlet opening. This prevents bypass.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a housing, the housing of the coffee maker shaped and configured to fit within a wall cavity inside a wall and attach to one or more wall structures, the housing including an integral mounting structure having engagement structures to engage the one or more wall structures. The coffee maker unit further includes an in-line water heater located within the housing to receive a supply of water from plumbing that is external to the housing and a brewing area located within the housing to contain a supply of coffee grounds and to receive water from the water heater. The coffee maker further includes a coffee pot receptacle configured to support a coffee pot at least partially within the wall cavity such that the coffee pot is located to receive coffee from the brewing area.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser device that is insertable into and removable from a main housing that can be used to dispense a liquid. The types of liquids that can be dispensed from this housing are for example, coffee, tea or other types of flavored drinks. This dispenser device can comprise a housing having a plurality of chambers disposed within this housing wherein each of the plurality of chambers are separated from each other by at least one partition. This device also includes a plurality of spouts coupled to the housing. This spout is in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of chambers to form a conduit for allowing a fluid to pass from each of the plurality of chambers through the plurality of spouts and out of the housing.

Abstract: A coffeemaker that heats up water in water tanks and supplies the heated water into a coffee funnel that has ground coffee and further collects liquid coffee dripping from the coffee funnel; the coffeemaker including an iced coffee tank, which collects the liquid coffee that drips from the coffee funnel, and an ice water tank, which accommodates the iced coffee tank and contains ice water that cools the liquid coffee inside the iced coffee tank via the walls of the iced coffee tank; and a relative difference in rotational speed being given to the iced coffee tank and the ice water inside the ice water tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a beverage dispenser of the type for dispensing beverage into a server. The dispenser includes a housing having a body and an overhanging portion protruding from the housing. A dispensing area is defined between the overhanging portion of the body. The housing is configured for dispensing beverage therefrom. An extension is provided protruding from the body of the housing into the dispensing area. The extension is positioned proximate to an area which retains at least one server in the dispensing area. A void is defined in the dispensing area between the extension and the overhanging portion. The void helps facilitate ease of access to the dispenser and server as well as facilitating ease of access to the servers, removal and replacement of the servers as well as maintenance, repair, operation and other aspects of the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cartridge-operated coffee-machine, comprising means for supplying hot water to an infusion head adapted to receive at least two different cartridges (2, 2?) including each at least one planar seat surface, means for communicating said supply means with the product contained inside the cartridges so as to obtain a beverage, and means for directing said beverage exiting from the cartridge towards a beverage collecting receptacle, where the infusion head comprises a support (11) having at least one pocket (29) forming a housing for at least two different cartridges (2, 2?). The invention is characterized in that said pocket (29) comprises a single peripheral seat (35) common to several cartridges (2, 2?) of different seat diameters, one or more portions of the outer rim of said peripheral seat 835 forming an indexing vertical wall common to said cartridges (2, 2?).

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: providing an electric coffee brewing machine; providing a single-use, disposable brew basket, inserting the disposable brew basket into the electric coffee brewing machine; brewing a single cup of coffee with the electric coffee brewing machine; and discarding the disposable brew basket after the single cup of coffee has been brewed. The electric coffee brewing machine has a cold water reservoir, an electric heating element for heating the water, and a basket receiving recess. The disposable brew basket has a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending generally upwardly from the bottom wall to define a brewing reservoir for receiving heated water from the electric coffee brewing machine. The bottom wall of the basket has at least one port located in a central portion thereof to permit brewed coffee to flow from the disposable brew basket. The disposable brew basket is inserted into the basket receiving recess of the electric coffee brewing machine before brewing.

Abstract: A beverage carafe including a main section having a first liquid dispensing system comprising a pouring spout, and a handle connected to the main section for tilting the main section. The beverage carafe can be tilted to pour liquid from the pouring spout. The carafe also includes a second liquid dispensing system extending through the handle from the main section. The second liquid dispensing system is adapted to be actuated to dispense liquid from the main section out of the handle.

Abstract: An improved brewing assembly for a coffee percolator and a coffee percolator using the same. The brewing assembly includes a filter basket, a pump tube and a cover. The filter basket has an open top, a perforated bottom, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The pump tube is attached to the filter basket and engages the filter basket such that the pump tube is removed when the filter basket is removed. The cover has a top, a handle, and an open bottom defined by a sidewall. The sidewall of the cover includes both a means for engaging the container such that the cover remains attached to the container when the container is tipped to pour coffee through the pouring spout, and means for engaging the filter basket such that the brewing assembly remains attached to the cover when the cover is removed from the container after coffee is brewed.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a valve mechanism having a micro switch, an electromagnetic valve, a magnetic covering board activated by the electromagnetic valve for opening or closing a powder path, and a spring interconnecting the covering board and the electromagnetic valve. A motor-driven grinding mechanism includes two ring-shaped outer grinding members having teeth facing each other, and a spring biased inner grinding member including a hollow feed rod with a lead screw formed thereon. A powder fineness adjusting mechanism includes an adjustment lever. In a powder fineness adjustment for producing coarse coffee powder, pivoting the lever toward one direction will pivot an abutment member and move the same outward to push one grinding member for increasing a space between the grinding members filled with coffee beans to be ground. Pivoting the lever toward the other direction will produce fine coffee powder.

Abstract: A removable filter/pod compartment is filled with coffee grounds, tea, or other espresso particulate brewing substance and mounted within a water reservoir. Water is placed in the water reservoir. A bottom cover is connected to upper cup assembly to hold the filter/pod compartment in place. A resilient gasket or valve is positioned between the filter/pod compartment and a filtrate passage. A filtrate splash cover may be attached to the upper edges of the filtrate reservoir. The assembled beverage maker is placed into a microwave oven. As water in the water reservoir begins to heat up, steam is generated, and hot water is displaced upwards through the filter/pod compartment and particulate brewing substance. The heated beverage is automatically emptied into the filtrate reservoir, which is designed to function as a drinking cup for individually-sized portions.

Abstract: A coffee maker 1 capable of being used normally and conveniently during use and downsized when not in use to provide working space, comprises a coffee maker body 2 equipped with an apparatus for brewing coffee, a holder 4 capable of mounting a coffee server 5, and folding arms 3 having plural arms 21, 22 linked to form a set of arms and connected revolvably between the coffee maker body 2 and the holder 4. The coffee server 5 can be mounted on the holder 4 when the arms 3 are extended. When the coffee maker 1 is not used, the holder 4 is elevated and folded to make space for other purposes. A lock mechanism can be provided to unlockably lock the elevated holder 4 to the body 2.

Abstract: A top-loading coffeemaker comprises a housing having an open top and two covers pivotable between opened and closed positions. A filter basket can be inserted through a front portion of the open top to be supported above a carafe. A reservoir is located in a rear portion of the top-loading coffeemaker. A conduit extends from an inlet at the front portion of the top-loading coffeemaker to the reservoir. Water poured into the inlet flows through the conduit to the reservoir. A linkage connecting the two covers causes the rear cover to be opened when the front cover is opened, and enables the rear cover to be opened alone.

Abstract: A support-equipped extracting bag for a drink, for example coffee, comprises an extracting bag member 2 containing therein a drink material to be extracted and having a front face section 2a and back face section 2b each comprising a filtering sheet; and a support member 3 attached to the bag member and covering an upper half portion of the bag member, to hygienically keep a top end of the bag member to be opened during storage and to enable the bag member to be stably and safely held in a cup, wherein the upper middle portion of the support member and the upper portion of the bag member can be opened by removing the upper middle portion of the support member and the upper portion of the bag member along cut lines 8 and 9 or vacant area 10 or 11 and a row of perforations 13 formed through the support and bag members, and by bending the right and left side upper portions of the support member inward along folds or dotted cuts 14 and 15 formed in the right and left side upper portions of the support member.

Abstract: A brew basket of the present invention useful in drip-style beverage brewing systems comprises a brewing chamber and a filter having replaceable filter medium pivotably attached to and in fluid communication with the brewing chamber, wherein the replaceable filter medium is sealably supported on an annular flange of the filter. The brewing chamber and the filter are two separate components mated together to provide a substantially leak-proof seal. By integrating the filter in the brew basket in an open and obvious position with a replaceable filter medium disk, a user has convenient access to the filter medium for improved compliance in regularly replacing the filter medium.

Abstract: A device for measuring out coffee in a coffee-maker with conical paper or synthetic fibre filter, characterised in that it comprises at least a slide (300) including at least a mark for measuring out an amount of coffee when the slide (300) is arranged inside a volume defined by a wall (2) of the filter, the slide (300) being arranged along the wall (2) when measuring out at least an amount of coffee.

Abstract: An automatic tea maker comprises a cover body, a tube base, and a bottom base, wherein the cover body is covered on the tube base, which is eccentrically disposed on the bottom base. A partition is disposed on an interior of the tube base to partition an independent drainage area. A vent disposed on the partition communicates with the tube base. Each of water exits, provided with a stopping members, are disposed on a base surface of the tube base. A baffle extends from an internal periphery of the bottom base with push rods placed on the baffle protruding outward from the water exits. The push rods placed on the baffle extend corresponding to the stopping members of the water exits, is able to push the stopping members away from the water exits, when the tube base is slanted corresponding to the bottom base.

Abstract: An automatic drip coffee maker includes a reservoir, a basket, and a chamber disposed at where below an opening of the basket. A thermostat and a heating tube are provided at the bottom of the chamber. A bowl is placed into the chamber to receive coffee drips delivered through the opening of the basket. The coffee in the bowl is continuously kept hot due to the thermostat and the heating tube without being contaminated. A control device is provided in the bowl to control the delivery of the coffee through an outlet to be poured into any type of coffee cup.

Abstract: A filter coffee maker having a filter holder, a case providing a filter holder housing for receiving the filter holder, and a pedestal provided to receive a carafe. The filter holder housing has at least one concave structure having an upper entrance, a lateral wall having a lower end, an upper bearing zone extending from the lower end of the lateral wall, and a retaining threshold disposed between the upper bearing zone and the lateral wall. The filter holder has at least one upper retaining means provided to cooperate with the upper bearing zone.

Abstract: A method of making coffee in a drip-type coffee maker includes introducing steam into coffee grounds, and passing heated water through the coffee grounds to infuse the water. A coffee maker includes a second water passage in which the flow of water is controlled so that it is converted into steam for delivery to the brew basket. The steam enters the brew basket below the level of any coffee grinds in the basket, and causes a substantially helical steam flow path in the grinds.

Abstract: A coffee brewing basket for use with a pre-measured coffee filter packet is shown having a first compartment for retaining the coffee filter packet and a second compartment situated below the first compartment for providing an initial wetting of the coffee filter packet. A rib protruding from an interior wall of the first compartment into the second compartment provides access by which hot water introduced into the brewing basket can enter the first compartment and bypass the coffee filter packet to collect in the lower compartment. A reservoir formed by a series of ridges channels the water draining out of the second compartment and draws water through the coffee filter.

Abstract: The tea brew basket operates in conjunction with a coffee maker. The coffee maker includes a vertical superstructure and an overhanging sub-structure which delivers heated water to a carafe located beneath the sub-structure. The tea brewing system includes a tea brewer basket with a hanger complementary to the basket hanger on the coffee maker, a chute and a tea leaf retaining basket loosely fit within the chute. A controllable latch releases the tea leaf retaining basket from the chute and into the brewer basket. A controller operates a drain valve at the bottom of the brewer basket. Sensors and operator selections control either the brew time, brew temperature or both prior to opening the drain valve.

Abstract: Appliances for the preparation of hot drinks are described herein. The appliances include a water container having a container outlet from which, via a heating device and a riser, water heated by the heating device can be supplied to a mixing device. A specific water level height in the riser can be kept at least largely constant by a constant level holding device.

Abstract: A filter coffee maker having: a boiler; a case in which the boiler is disposed; an ascending conduit coupled to the boiler for upward movement of the hot water produced by said boiler; a filter holder or filter holder housing; a lid pivoted on the case; and a water delivery head arranged in the lid. The delivery head has an inlet opening brought into communication with a hot water outlet orifice of the conduit and an outlet opening that opens above the filter holder or housing when the lid is closed. The lid has a lower face presenting a protuberance in which the inlet opening is arranged, the ascending conduit has an upper end with a closed upper part, and the orifice opens in a direction facing a lateral wall forming part of the case.

Abstract: An apparatus and method useful for brewing a beverage. A brewing liquid, generally water, and in some cases brewing ingredients, are placed in a container having a bottom with openings that, due to surface tension of the liquid, do not allow the liquid to pass through the openings until the liquid approaches or reaches its boiling point. The liquid is heated to approach its boiling point by placing the apparatus in a microwave oven or by the use of an electrical resistance heater associated with the container. The brewed beverage is captured in a second, temporary container from which it may be consumed or served.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grinds, and a water passage between the reservoir and the brew basket. The water passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. A rotating paddle is removably disposed in the brew basket to stir coffee grinds in the basket while heater water is supplied to the brew basket.