Abstract: A hot beverage brewing kit comprised of a double-walled cup and a cylindrical filter support stowable between the cup's walls is disclosed. A retaining ring secures a cone-shaped textile fabric filter to the filter support. The filter stows in a space between the bottom of the cup's fluid containing cavity and the cup's lower end cover. An upper end cover engages the cup's single-walled upper rim, and has a drinking aperture therein. An alternative embodiment of the kit includes a modified cup which has its outer bottom wall and outer side wall formed as an integral structure. A threaded joint toward the upper end of the outer side wall joins the integral outer bottom and side walls to the upper and inner portions of the modified cup.

Abstract: A tea flushing device comprises a cup body, a filtering net, a buckling disk, and a water stopper. The bottom of the cup body is installed with a long hole for being buckled and penetrated by a buckling disk so that the cup body and the buckling disk may move upwards and downwards with respective to one another. Other than protruding from the through hole installed on the buckling disk, in a plurality of foot plates, a water stopper is installed at the through hole of the bottom of the cup body. The water stopper may be a metal rolling ball with a elastic rubber water stop pad or be formed a water stopping block and guide rod. Therefore, as the tea flushing device is flatly placed on a plane, by the supporting of the foot plate, the buckling disk will drop down naturally so that the water stopper will seal the through hole. Thus, the operation of flushing tea within the cup can be performed. If desired, the tea flushing device is only necessary to be placed at a proper container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel splash guard which is positioned in a brewing funnel in close proximity to the handle of the funnel. The splash guard is a curved structure which extends over a portion of the mouth of the brewing funnel. The splash guard extends over a portion of the mouth of the brewing funnel, but not to such an extent as to interfere with the spraying of water into the brewing funnel, or the placing of filter supports, filters or brewing substance into the brewing funnel. The splash guard functions to deflect a slurry of water, brewing substance and brewed beverage in the funnel which is displaced toward the handle, and to direct the slurry back into the funnel instead of splashing out of the brewing funnel.

Abstract: A coffee maker has a housing having a upstanding tower, a carafe support platform extending horizontally forward from the lower end of the tower, and a fixed, tubular filter basket support extending horizontally forward from the upper end of the housing above the platform. A horizontal filter basket cover, including a water spreader, is disposed above the filter basket support and carried by the housing for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. A cover pivotal about a horizontal axis is provided over a water reservoir defined by the housing. A valve mechanism is provided that operates upon pivoting of the filter basket cover to selectively permit heated water to be supplied to the water spreader, thereby preventing burns from heated water when the water spreader is not located above the filter basket support. The coffee maker also includes an electronic controller having a control pad on the front surface of the housing platform. A pivotal cover is provided to shield the control pad from spilled coffee.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electic coffee machine and a filter element (1) therefor. The coffee machine includes a filter element (1) for taking up ground coffee (12) that is supported by a filter housing. A brewing head (2) is provided above the filter element (1) and has one or a plurality of outlet openings (3) from which water (14) heated by an electric water heater flows into the element (1) in order to extract the coffee. According to the present invention, the filter element (1) includes on its outside top edge (9) an annular collar (10) which extends at an angle relative to the edge (9). The filter element (1) is made of filter paper. Disposed below the annular collar (9) is a securing device (28) which bears the filter element (1) and on which the filter element (1) is supported in a substantially cantilevered manner. In this way, the filter element and the coffee machine are easier to handle. In addition, brewing results are improved and the dripping time is reduced.

Abstract: A new dual reservoir coffee machine for making two different types of coffee in two separate pots. The inventive device includes a dual system coffee maker comprised of a housing. The housing has an upper water dispensing portion and a lower burner portion. A control panel is disposed within the housing of the dual system coffee maker. A coffee filter attachment couples with the water dispensing portion of the dual system coffee maker. A pair of semi-cylindrical pots are positionable on the lower burner portion of the dual system coffee maker. Each of the pots have a cover with an opening therethrough. The openings align with the coffee filter attachment. Each of the pots have a handle extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a domestic coffee maker having in a housing (1) with a front face, a cold water tank and a filter (4) having an outflow orifice (7) situated above an infusion collection jug (8) resting on a base (9). The filter (4) is equipped with a shut-off valve (13) for the outflow orifice (7). The shut-off valve is controlled by an actuating device which is movable relative to the housing. Displacement of the actuating device is caused by the positioning and removal of the jug (8) on the base. A substantial portion of the base (9) projects beyond the front face of housing (1). The filter (4) is enclosed within the housing (1). The actuating device comprises a rod (14) which is mounted to slide horizontally under the filter (4) against the urging of an elastic device (15). One end (16) of the rod (14) controls the valve (13). Movement of the rod (14) is controlled by a movement multiplier device actuated in response to the presence or absence of the pouring spout (12).

Abstract: A drip coffee maker rotates the filter basket about a vertical axis, to-and-fro through an angle of about 45 degrees with a frequency of about one second. The coffee may be held in the basket until a predetermined level of hot water has been added to the basket. The basket may be driven by gears acting through an electric motor.

Abstract: A spring-biased valve lever on the bottom of a coffee maker brew basket is pivoted to open the brewed liquid outlet of the brew basket in response to the rotation of a valve actuator caused by the placement of a carafe on the warmer plate of the coffee maker. The valve actuator is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and has two horizontally movable arms, one which is engaged by the carafe and one which engages and presses downwardly on the rearward end of the valve lever.

Abstract: An infusion maker for infusing tea, and coffee, including a container, a first inner cup suspended in the container, a second inner cup suspended in the first inner cup, and a lid covered on the second inner cup, the first inner cup having an outward top flange with top sloping ribs and a drip hole at the center of a bottom wall thereof, the second inner cup having an outward top flange with bottom sloping ribs, a wire gauze filter covered on an opened bottom side thereof, and a stopper at the center of the opened bottom side below the wire gauze filter, the sloping ribs of the second inner cup being moved with the second inner cup clockwise/counter-clockwise relative to the sloping ribs of the first inner cup between a first position where the stopper is engaged into the bottom drip hole on the first inner cup to close the passage of the bottom drip hole, and a second position where the stopper is disengaged from the bottom drip hole on the first inner cup, permitting infusion to flow out of the first inner

Abstract: A device to adapt a coffee carafe in its height so that it may be used on a plurality of coffee makers of differing designs. It includes a hinged carafe lid adaptable to fit a coffee carafe and having an internally threaded bore located at the center of the lid, through which is threaded a hollow screw which has a substantially flat or conically-shaped surface attached to its upper end. The surface has holes that fit over the hollow portion of the screw. The height of the surface can be adjusted by rotating it so that the threads elevate or depress the substantially flat or conically-shaped surface, thereby positioning the surface immediately beneath the output spout of the coffee maker or engaging an activation switch or anti-drip valve mechanism at any portion of the coffee maker. The device may utilize a frictionally engaged cylinder within the center bore of the lid instead of the preferred threaded embodiment of the device.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus is provided including a housing with a water inlet channel, a heater to heat water delivered through the channel and a water dispenser within the housing for providing a spray of hot water to a brewing pot. The brewing pot is releasably attachable to the housing and includes a filter receptacle positioned to receive the spray of water and outlet aperture for allowing brewed tea to exit. A filter basket for containing the tea leaves is lodged within the filter receptacle. The basket has a base with a wire mesh screen and an integrally formed non-porous siphon shroud projecting upwardly from a central area of the floor base, the shroud being closed at the top while open at the bottom. A siphoning tube is lodged within the aperture of the filter receptacle and open at both ends. When nested, the siphon shroud surrounds the siphoning tube to create a siphon arrangement for continuously removing tea extract fluid from the filter basket.

Abstract: A collapsible dripping apparatus for liquids having a filter holding member, a bellows member and a supporting brim member. The apparatus can be disassembled into three pieces to be made compact when the apparatus is not being used. Therefore, the apparatus can be stored or brought to someplace without occupying a large space. Further, the assembled apparatus has a fan-like shape so as to be able to drip liquid material, such as coffee and tea using a filter which is available on the market.

Abstract: A beverage maker comprises a frame which has an upper panel with one or more circular or oval apertures into which may be inserted metal or plastic holders for paper beverage filters. A middle panel comprises an adjustable drip shelf. The drip shelf is placed at a distance below the upper panel, which spacing is large enough to admit cups of typical size and small enough to prevent excessive spillage when fluid drains down from the filter holders into the cups. What spillage does occur passes through perforations in the drip shelf and is collected in a removable drip pan. Hot water is poured into individual filter holders by hand, which produces a plurality of small portions of beverage simultaneously or in rapid succession for beverage service in a commercial environment. Alternatively, fixed members for dispensing water into the filter holders can be added above the top panel, such as push-button fixed-volume fluid dispensers or manual spigots.

Abstract: An infusion maker includes a lid, a filter, a stopper, a basket, a retaining frame, and a jug. The basket has a through hole at the center of its bottom side, and a bottom extended wall with spaced slots. The retaining frame includes an annular ring at the top, an outer annular frame, supports erected between the annular ring and the outer annular frame, and an inner annular frame disposed inside the outer annular frame and connected thereto by reinforcing ribs. The inner annular frame is provided with a bearing seat for receiving the stopper. The outer annular frame is externally provided with bulges for engaging the slots of the basket. The retaining frame is fitted over the basket from below and they are placed into the jug with the annular ring suspended on the rim of the jug. The basket slips downwardly of its own weight so that the stopper blocks the through hole of the basket to allow immersion of substances like coffee in the basket.

Abstract: An infusion machine including a cold-water container (1) which incorporates a water purification device (5) and which comprises a water outlet (2) connected to a water heater (3). The water purification device includes a removable cartridge (7) comprising a bottom part forming a cup (8) which is designed to be mounted sealingly in a suitable basin (10) formed in the bottom of the container, and in which is housed so as to be removable a filter sachet (15) containing a water purification substance (16), and a top part forming a cap (18) which is located in line with the cup (8) and which is able to close the latter, the cap (18) of the cartridge comprising at least one opening (42) through which the water from the container enters, and the cup (8) of the cartridge comprising at least one opening (51) through which the water flows into the water heater (3) after passing through the filter sachet (15) used particularly for electric coffee makers.

Abstract: A portable package unit used for extraction of coffee including a filter assembly easily attached to a receptacle such as a cup. The package unit includes a filter bag having a predetermined amount of parched coffee powder and a frame internally supporting the filter bag. The frame is made up of a pair of support boards each of which includes a pair of frame sections demarcated by a center fold line and a pair of wing sections connected to associated frame sections via bonding zones. The two support boards are united together along the bonding zones. When folded in a flat state for envelopment in the wrapper, the filter bag is wholly coved by the frame and the wing sections are superposed on the frame sections of the support boards. When unfolded cubically for attachment to the receptacle, the frame sections of the frame separate from each other to define a rectangular solid space in which the filter bag is suspended with its upper end being open for pouring of hot water.

Abstract: A coffee maker to be used in conjunction with a field of microwave radiation. An upper tubular reservoir is removably mounted to a lower tubular reservoir through the use of a connecting member that holds a valve assembly centrally therein. A coffee filter basket assembly is mounted within lower tubular reservoir below the valve assembly. A cap with an opening prevents spillage of hot water and the build up of pressure in the upper tubular reservoir member.

Abstract: An infusion coffee maker includes a cover, a filter assembly, a drip cup, a retaining plate, and a stop. The drip cup has a central through hole at the bottom, and the filter assembly also has a through hole in the center. The bottom periphery of the drip cup extends downwardly to form an extended wall which is provided with spaced elongated holes and legs. The retaining plate includes a ferrule, a positioning rib element disposed inside and integrally connected to the ferrule, and spaced slots for receiving the legs of the drip cup. The ferrule is fitted below the drip cup within the space defined by the extended wall. The stop is inserted through the through holes of the drip cup into a hole in the center of the positioning rib element of the retaining plate. When the drip cup is placed on a planar surface, the ferrule slips downwardly along the elongated hole due to its own weight.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a water filter designed to be inserted into a drinking water circuit. The water filter has a support designed to house removably one or more different filters each having a different filtering property and adapted to be mounted either independently of each other or associated in a particular combination so as to effect a filtration of the drinking water according to its composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new coffeemaker with a permanent filter that is composed of a tank, whose bottom is perforated small holes, this tank is attached to an infusion chamber provided with a support, the set resting on a container or a mug. The rate of the boiling water flow is controlled by the small holes of the tank bottom. A chimney located within the tank allows the infusion gases to escape from the infusion chamber. The flow of the infused water is done through a permanent filter at the bottom of the infusion chamber The support is a flange that has a plurality of holes allowing the vapor to escape from the mug and, also giving the possibility for the user to see the level of the infused water in the same mug.

Abstract: A tea maker structure is disclosed. It includes a percolator cup as an upper layer of the tea maker and a tea cup as a lower layer of the tea maker. A bottom of the percolator cup is formed with a water outlet communicating with the tea cup. A filter mesh is disposed above the water outlet to prevent tea grounds from blocking the water outlet. The opening/closing of the water outlet is controlled by a controlling mechanism coaxially disposed in the percolator cup, whereby the tea can flow into the tea cup with the tea grounds remaining in the percolator cup. Also, this tea maker is prevented from falling down due to improper application.

Abstract: A coffeemaker comprises, in a housing (1), a cold water reservoir (2) supplying a water heater (3) which in turn supplies a water spout (5) whose outlet (6) is arranged above a filter carrier (7) which is movably mounted in the housing (1) and whose bottom has an outlet opening (8) located above a server (9) collecting the infusion, the server resting on a base (10). The cold water reservoir (2) of the coffeemaker overlies the base (10) and the filter carrier (7) of the coffeemaker is arranged behind the cold water reservoir (2).

Abstract: A device for automatically brewing and holding tea has a water reservoir and a combined water reservoir inlet and heated water distributor attached to and extending forward from the water reservoir, a base for holding a hot tea receptacle under the combined water reservoir inlet and heated water distributor. A hot tea receptacle especially adapted for use with the device has a flat bottom surface for optimal heat transfer from the base to the receptacle.

Abstract: A new Custom Coffee Brewing System for facilitating custom coffee brewing where the user adjusts the strength of the coffee depending on taste preference. The inventive device includes a coffee retaining cone supporting a standard coffee filter, and a plunger member slidably connected to the coffee retaining cone.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means for driving plates along an advancing path, each of which is provided, on a top face thereof, with a plurality of recesses. Along the advancing path is arranged a first delivery station for delivering a first permeable film strip, having a width adapted to substantially cover all of the recesses of each plate and cutting means for cutting into strips said film in a longitudinal direction thereof, as well as means for cross-cutting the cut strips. Moreover, in the first station, a coffee dose is delivered at each recess, on the top of the film previously deposited on the plates. Downstream of the first station is provided a second pressing station for pressing the coffee doses supplied on the plates and a third delivery station for delivery a second permeable film web on the top of the pressed coffee doses. In the third station are provided cutting means for cutting the second film web into longitudinal strips as well as means for cutting in a cross direction the cut strips.

Abstract: An infusion maker including a beaker having an inside annular flange in the middle, an inner cup mounted in the beaker for containing boiling water for steeping tea and having a bottom center through hole, a cap coupled to the inner cup at the bottom through a slip joint to hold a ball in a ball socket thereof, and a lid covered on the inner cup, the ball being forced to close the bottom center through hole of the inner cup when the inner cup is put in the beaker and supported on the inside annular flange of the beaker, the ball being disengaged from the bottom center through hole of the inner cup when the inner cup is lifted from the inside annular flange of the beaker, for permitting prepared tea infusion to flow out of the inner cup to the beaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a coffee cup and in particular to a cup set having three different layers, where the first layer is a cup-like container having a filter formed therein, and the second layer is a coffee cup being used to receive the filtered coffee, the third layer is a base formed beneath the second layer which is supported by the same.

Abstract: A single cup disposable coffee brewing device foldable from a generally flat position to an unfolded position. The device has a coffee filter on the interior and a cardboard main body portion on the exterior and can be placed on top of a cup or mug. Coffee grounds are disposed in the filter and hot or cold water is poured into the unfolded device. The main body portion has a hole at bottom normally closed by a sealing element which dissolves after a predetermined period of time and allows brewed coffee to drip out into the mug or cup.

Abstract: The coffee machine has a water reservoir located in a housing, a heating device having electric regulating devices, a beverage collecting vessel which can be placed on a housing base, and a coffee brewing housing which is arranged above the beverage collecting vessel. The coffee brewing housing which can be swivelled out of the coffee machine housing is secured in the working position at the coffee machine housing by a manually actuated hold-back device which is spring-loaded in the locking direction. To enable a reliable triggering of the swiveling movement of the coffee brewing housing after it has been unlocked from the housing of the coffee machine without the use of spring elements which cause an undefined swiveling movement, the hold-back device is coupled with a push bar which acts on the coffee brewing housing in the swiveling out direction and is guided at the housing.

Abstract: A ring for supporting a coffee filter within a filter basket of a brewing device. The inventive device includes a support ring positionable within a filter basket so as to capture an upper edge of a coffee filter between the ring and the basket. A plurality of vertical stanchions depend from the support ring for engaging a bottom of the basket to support the ring at a desired position therein. An adjustment assembly is provided for varying a diameter of the ring and each stanchion includes frangible notches permitting sizing of the stanchions to a desired height.

Abstract: A universal replacement carafe is presented and which may be used with coffee makers of different types. It includes removable adaptors which may be inserted into the lid of the carafe. In this way, the lid/adaptor combination can be made of the required height to engage the activation element of any coffee maker. Further, the adaptor can be positioned in any quadrant of the lid, so as to be able to engage an activation element at any portion of the coffee maker.

Abstract: A beverage brewing machine including a reservoir for holding cold water, an electric heating unit which during operation heats the cold water to produce a brewing water, and a brewing unit. The brewing unit has a receiving chamber for receiving a filter insert into which product is placed. The filter insert has a water-permeable wall. The receiving chamber has a collecting groove which receives water and delivers the received water to the outside of the water-permeable wall when the filter insert is resting in the receiving chamber so that water flows through the sidewall into an upper portion of the product in the filter insert. The reservoir includes a first water outlet through which a portion of the brewing water is delivered onto the top of the product in the filter insert, and the reservoir includes a second water outlet through which another portion of the brewing water is delivered to the collecting groove and from there through the water permeable wall of the filter insert.

Abstract: The invention is a self contained disposable coffee brewing cone comprising a pouch having an inside, a top, a bottom, an open circular top, and a permeable circular bottom. A pre-measured volume of coffee is located inside the pouch at the bottom, and is sandwiched between a permeable filter net and the permeable circular bottom. A flange is located at the top of the pouch, extending radially outward from the pouch, parallel to the horizon. The flange has a flange tab and perforations along its center, so that an outer flange ring may be peeled back and separated from an inner flange ring and the remainder of the pouch, to be utilized as a handle.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a beverage making machine containing a purification unit for purifying potable water. The purifying unit contains a purifying agent and is detachably mounted on either the water reservoir or on the basket where water contacts the brewing agent or beverage making agent of the beverage machine.In an alternate mode, the water purifying unit is located below the water reservoir of a beverage making machine. The bottom member of the water purifying unit is detachably mounted on the bottom of said units with screw-on means.

Abstract: A teapot or other beverage vessel has an internal rim at the top supporting a filter cup which grips onto the rim. A magnetic lid fits onto the rim of the filter cup. Tea leaves and other particles are thus confined within the filter cup and the lid is held magnetically in place.

Abstract: A multiple beverage dispenser is provided which consists of a container having an opened neck. A handle on said container is to be gripped by a hand of a person. A structure within the container is for dividing the container into two separate compartments for holding two different types of beverages therein. A mechanism is on the opened neck of the container for selectively discharging each of the beverages from each compartment within the container. The dispenser can be used in conjunction with a dual system electronic coffee maker, to receive any combination of brewed coffee.

Abstract: An appliance for making beverages is provided which comprises a filter device (3) and a movable arm (7) having an outlet opening (10) for the supply of hot water to the filter device, which arm is movable by means of a motor (15) so as to position the outlet opening in different positions relative to the filter device. In order to ensure that the outlet opening (10) of the arm (7) is positioned correctly there are provided means (23b, 23c) for holding the arm, and a transmission mechanism comprising a friction coupling (20-22) is interposed between the motor (15) and the arm (7).

Abstract: A prepared package for use with a water heating device makes a liquid containing product. The package has an upper water containing chamber and a lower product ingredients containing chamber. The upper and lower chambers are completely separated from one another by a permanent liquid impervious membrane. The package includes a water outlet from the upper chamber and a water inlet to the lower chamber. The water inlet and the water outlet of the package have openable seals and are sized and orientated to fit with a water inlet and water outlet respectively of the water heating device to provide fluid communication between the package and the water heating device such that upon opening the seals, water flows from the upper chamber of the package through the water heating device and into the lower chamber of the package enabling heated water to mix with the product ingredients in making the product.

Abstract: A microwave coffee maker includes a magnetron for generating microwaves that heat water flowing in a conduit toward a filtering vessel. A high voltage transformer is connected to the magnetron. The conduit extends in heat exchange relationship with the magnetron and transformer so that water flowing in the conduit absorbs heat from, and thereby cools, the magnetron and transformer.

Abstract: A conformable, self-aligning, high extraction efficiency coffee filter pack capable of flavor extraction efficiencies comparable to those obtained using an identical quantity of bulk coffee and a paper filter under identical brewing conditions, but which exhibits substantially consistent pot-to-pot brew strength for any given automatic drip coffee maker. The preferred filter pack is formed from two layers of flexible material which are secured to one another about their outermost periphery with a predetermined quantity of roast and ground coffee housed within a brew chamber formed between the two layers. The brew chamber exhibits a maximum volume between about 25 percent and about 300 percent greater than the volume of the dry roast and ground coffee contained therein. The discharge flow rate from the brew chamber is slower than the inlet flow rate into the brew chamber to permit a buildup of water and flooding of the brew chamber.

Abstract: A device for preparing hot drinks from a liquid and a drink medium, with a liquid container (1) holding the liquid and a drink medium container (2) holding the drink medium (7), wherein the heated liquid is conveyed through the drink medium container into a drink container (3) holding the hot drink. The liquid container (1) is closed so that it is substantially vapour-tight and has an overflow (10) which is directed into the drink medium container (2). At least the liquid container (1) is made of a material which is permeable to microwaves.

Abstract: A coffee or tea maker includes a base shell including a vertically-oriented connecting sleeve; a flow heater accommodated in the base shell and having a vertically-oriented inlet nipple received in the connecting sleeve; a mains cable connection situated in the base shell; a machine switch situated in the base shell; an electric circuit board connected to the mains cable connection and to the machine switch and having plug-in pins; and a bottom closing off the base shell and locked thereto by a detent joint. All the plug-in and detent connections define a vertical joining direction for relative movement toward one another into a locked state during an assembling operation.

Abstract: A device for brewing a cup or other small portion of a beverage to a desired strength is disclosed. The suitable strength is achieved by controlling the volume of hot water contacting a prepackaged, disposable filter containing beverage precursor particles. The device is adapted to control and vary the brewing process by regulating with some precision volume of hot water flowing through the filter and the volume of hot water bypassing the filter and flowing directly into a drinking cup without having contacting the brew particles. Visual indicators are provided to facilitate choosing a brew of desired strength. The process for preparation of a brewed beverage to a desired strength is also disclosed.

Abstract: A beverage maker having a reservoir for holding liquid and a filter element for holding a substance, such as coffee grounds, for making the beverage. A partition separates the reservoir and filter element and has a heat responsive film. When the liquid in the reservoir is at or reaches a desired brewing temperature, the film opens to allow the flow of the heated liquid from the reservoir into and through the filter element and substance, such as coffee grounds, to produce a freshly brewed beverage, ready for dispensing.

Abstract: A prepared package for a hot beverage serving comprises an upper sealed liquid containing chamber, a lower beverage ingredient containing chamber with the upper and lower chambers being separated by a permanent liquid impervious membrane. The package further includes a sealed outlet from the upper chamber, a separate inlet to the lower chamber and a bottom spout from the lower chamber. In using the package the liquid from the upper chamber bypasses the membrane out through the outlet to a liquid heating device which then returns the heated liquid through the inlet to the lower chamber where the liquid mixes with the beverage ingredients and drains downwardly through the bottom spout.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a coffee maker holds the grounds in a cylindrical configuration in the hot water stream for more uniform and efficient extraction. A thin-wall, right cylinder has a slotted lower edge. A thin-wall frustum of a cone also has a smaller diameter, slotted lower edge. Both lower edges are resilient and cooperate with one another to hold the central portion of a filter elastically therebetween. The peripheral portion of the filter is held securely in the annular space between cylinder and frustum. The slots in the cylinder also provide for lateral liquid flow through the grounds as the volume of liquid in the cylinder increases. The frustum may be configured to facilitate use of a flat filter.

Abstract: An appliance for preparing freshly brewed iced tea with microwave energy comprising a generally funnel-shaped reservoir of molded plastic construction having an open upper end, closed lower end and an aperture near the closed lower end. The reservoir is dimensioned to hold a predetermined amount of water and tea simultaneously. A valve arrangement controls the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the aperture and to move from a closed position to an open position after water in the reservoir has been heated by microwave energy to a predetermined temperature. A receptacle is dimensioned to hold the hot, brewed tea from the reservoir and a predetermined amount of ice, and includes a barrier to shield ice therein from microwave energy.

Abstract: A carafe for a coffee or tea maker of the type having a mechanical outlet lock actuatable by a release member on a carafe. The carafe includes a glass container having an upper open end and a substantially flat bottom surface, which bottom surface defines a placement plane for supporting the carafe in the coffee or tea maker. There is a plastic lid attached to the upper open end of the glass container, along with a release member for actuating the mechanical outlet lock on the coffee or tea maker when the carafe is placed in the coffee or tea maker. The release member is accurately attached to the lid by an attachment between the lid and the release member at a predetermined distance from the bottom placement plane of the carafe.

Abstract: An ADC coffee maker has a brewed coffee container and a cold water compartment surrounding part of the brewed coffee container located in a single housing. The coffee maker housing includes an upper housing member made from a thermoplastic material and a lower housing made from a thermoplastic material and forming the lower part of the brewed coffee container, such lower part being closed by a stainless steel warmer plate. A cold water fill port is located adjacent the upper end of the brewed coffee container. A uniquely constructed brew basket is provided and a uniquely constructed lid that covers the brewed coffee container and the fill port is also provided.