Abstract: A diffuser assembly for diffusing fluid in a brewed beverage system is provided. The diffuser assembly includes a diffuser housing having an inlet port configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a cavity in fluid communication with the channel. The diffuser housing further includes multiple elongate openings formed in an inner surface of the diffuser housing for allowing fluid within the cavity to flow there through. The diffuser housing also includes multiple ridges projecting from the inner surface of the diffuser housing and positioned to distribute the fluid evenly across the inner surface prior to outputting the fluid via the plurality of elongate openings. The diffuser assembly can further include a cover removably coupled to the diffuser housing. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A spray head assembly for use with a beverage brewer includes a spray head and an adapter. The spray head includes a back plate having a turn mechanism. The adapter includes a body having an outer portion and a threaded inner portion. The body has an opening through the threaded inner portion that is attachable to a valve of the beverage maker. The outer portion of the body includes ears attachable to the backer plate of the spray head through the turn mechanism.

Abstract: A method of brewing hot beverage with an electric hot beverage brewer (20) with a duty cycle modulated DC voltage dispense pump (44) with an inlet (46) connected to a de-aerator (24) and beneath a lower limit and an outlet (48) located above an upper limit the surface a hot water tank (22) is finely controlled by a high frequency pulse-width, modulated, square power input voltage (FIG. 2) with a duty cycle controlled in accordance with predetermined profiles stored within a controller (28) to selectively change the flow rate out of the pump onto a distribution dome (50) during a dispense period of a brew cycle to achieve optimum brewing of different types of beverage ingredients and varieties of the different types and to selectively change the spray pattern of hot water onto the ingredient (53) within the basket assembly (52) between vertical and acute angles including acute angles that pass hot water into a bypass gap (56).

Abstract: A beverage brewing assembly includes a body defining a cavity. An insert is removably positioned within the cavity of the body. The insert defines a plurality of compartments. A lid is operably coupled with the body and defines a plurality of through-holes. The plurality of through-holes are positioned to facilitate a consistent and evenly distributed flow through each of the plurality of compartments of the insert.

Abstract: An automated one touch cooker device that automatically cooks food items in a pot and the same pot can be used as a serving container. The automated one touch cooker comprises of a cooking vessel, a water reservoir and a body frame wherein the cooking vessel is used for cooking a food item, the water reservoir holds fresh water for cooking, and the body frame houses the water reservoir and the cooking vessel. The body frame further holds a water pump, a water heater, and other elements required to run the cooker device.

Abstract: A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for brewing hot beverages, such as African green tea or Ataaya, including using a software-controlled electromechanical teapot to control and direct the beverage through various stages of mixing, boiling, cooling, and dispensing with multiple pumps, while monitoring the appropriate temperatures and time to take various actions or transition to various stages of brewing. In various embodiments, the electrical-electronic teapot includes various indicators such as buzzers, information display, lights, and the like to inform the user of various events and states, such as when the beverage is ready for serving. Additionally, a processor or microcontroller may be utilized in the teapot to run the software that controls the operation of the teapot. In some embodiment, the software is configurable, updatable, and/or changeable to alter the operation of the teapot for improved performance or to change the brewing method for different beverages.

Abstract: Shown are a coffee extraction system and a coffee extraction method using the same.

Abstract: A portable insulated beverage brewing device 10 for liquids and gravity fed method for brewing. A device 10, with lid 14 and vessel 12, may house insulation 52A and 52B, liner reservoir 50A and 50B, and filter 28 to brew hot or cold liquids and contain hot or cold liquids for controlled dispensing 26. A large capacity filter 28 secures inside the vessel 12 accepting brew mixtures for gravity fed brewing method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cap (1) for filtering liquid and dispensing an aqueous nutritional composition to a human, the filter cap (1) comprising a liquid inlet means (6) designed to be supplied with liquid from external liquid dispensing means (20), an adaptor (2) for connecting the filter cap (1) to the liquid dispensing means (20), connection means (2) designed for selectively connecting an opening (10) of the filter cap (1) to a container (3) designed to hold a powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base (5) for the preparation of the nutritional composition (5a) upon hydration with the supplied liquid, and a filter assembly (7) in the flow path of the liquid from the inlet means (6) to the opening (10), the filter assembly (7) being configured to remove contaminants from liquid fed into the container through the inlet means (6).

Abstract: Calf wet-nurse (10) comprising a container (11) provided with at least one supply opening (12) for on one hand dry powder and on the other hand liquid as well as a delivery duct (13) for the distribution of ready-mixed nutrient solution, wherein the container (11) is provided with at least one mixing duct (181, 182) connected to the container (11), at least one medium passage (191, 192, 193, 194) being arranged between the mixing duct (182, 183) and the container (11). The invention also concerns a method for a calf wet-nurse.

Abstract: An invention for infusing liquids, such as beer or wine, at a desired temperature is disclosed. The invention comprises a fillable container to contain the infusing material and the liquid to be infused and a cooling system to maintain the temperature of the liquid at a desired level during infusion. The preferred embodiment can easily be connected to an existing beer faucet mount and has transparent sides to allow the customer to visibly observe the liquid as it is being infused.

Abstract: A method for operating a hot beverage maker includes the steps of infusing fresh water and storing the resulting beverage in a removable brewed beverage tank. An actuator is engaged for dispensing the brewed beverage from the tank. The tank is placed on a platform in a relationship so as to engage a warmer plate to keep the contents of the tank warm. Accordingly, the hot beverage maker produces a brewed beverage that is stored in the tank until it is dispensed by a user.

Abstract: An automatic tea maker comprises a water tank (1), a heater (6), a pot for tea-leaf storage (5), a tea-leaf transmitting mechanism and a tea making mechanism. The water tank (1) is connected to the heater (6). The tea making mechanism comprises a tea making room (15) and a tea outlet pipe (16). The pot for tea-leaf storage (5) is connected to the tea making room (15) of the tea making mechanism through the tea-leaf transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: A portable automatic beverage brewing drinking vessel comprising, an on/off button, a heating element, a receptacle for accepting infusible material, and a means for translating the receptacle through the liquid. The means for translating the receptacle through the liquid includes but is not limited to, an electric motor, and magnets or electromagnets. In one embodiment, a pump transfers the liquid through tubes to the receptacle. The brewing vessel is portable and provides a simple and automatic means for brewing a beverage that can be consumed directly from the vessel.

Abstract: The beverage brewing device is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe. The beverage brewing device includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle defined in the body and extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The at least one outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that comprises a hot water tank; a brew basket; a sprayhead for spraying hot water from said water tank to said brew basket in order to brew said brewable substance; a container for storing said freshly brewed liquid concentrate drips from said brew basket; a heat exchanger immersed in hot water inside said water tank for reheating said freshly brewed liquid concentrate when pumped from said container; a source of flavor ingredients preferably packed in disposable bag-in-box; a mixer and whipper for mixing and whipping simultaneously all of the following items: said reheated freshly brewed concentrate discharged from said heat exchanger, said flavor ingredients and hot water from said hot water tank to form a hot freshly brewed beverage mixed with flavored ingredients, filled with air bubbles and with a foamy topping; and a control system for activating said beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A coffee machine brewing chamber for a coffee pad. Said brewing chamber comprises a top part that is provided with openings for the water which is delivered to the brewing chamber as well as a bottom part. The top part of the brewing chamber is embodied in a monolithic manner. The invention further relates to a coffee machine that is equipped with such a brewing chamber.

Abstract: A brewing piston for infusion preparation, including a head associated with a filtering element, and a lateral surface having a first gasket in proximity to the head and a second gasket at a distance from the first gasket. The brewing piston includes a first conduit connected to the head and arranged to inject a liquid for infusion preparation, and a second conduit connected to the lateral surface between the gaskets and arranged to inject the liquid between the first gasket and the second gasket during infusion preparation. The piston is arranged to limit or avoid leaks in a machine for infusion preparation. Also included is a machine using the piston and a method of limiting or avoiding leaks in a machine for infusion preparation.

Abstract: Milk froth generating device for generating milk froth from milk powder (7) and hot water comprises a hot water supply and a water heater. For simply obtaining milk froth of high quality, the milk froth generating device comprises a substantially rotation-symmetrical hot water sprayer head having hot water channels (9, 12) downwardly directed and open at the bottom. Some of them are disposed close to an outer convex surface (10) of the hot water sprayer head and some extending close to a central axis of the hot water sprayer head (1). The hot water channels are connected via a hot water distribution chamber (16) in the hot water sprayer head, and the hot water supply (17) with a hot water pressure generator and the water heater.

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: An apparatus useful for preventing the release of residual liquid in a beverage brewing device prior to and after the brewing process, and for preventing the premature release of liquid during the heating process is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible member, a closing member and a recess. The apparatus is fabricated such that the pressure of the liquid being delivered to the brewing chamber displaces or depresses the closing member sufficiently into the recess to form a first fluid passage. The pressure of the fluid also creates a channel or cavity on a surface of the flexible member. The first fluid passage and the channel or cavity form a second fluid passages which provide fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the brewing chamber. Preferably, the flexible member, closing member and recess is formed as an integral unit.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for increasing the interaction between water and a brewing substance in a brewing apparatus. The structure includes a spray head having a thickness dimension which facilitates the formation and definition of tubes or passages extending therethrough. The passages are directed at an angle so as to provide an extended flow path to and through the brewing substance. The spray head is positioned a dimension above the brewing substance retained in a pod so as to increase the interaction between water dispensed through the spray head and the brewing substance which is infused by the water from the spray head. The use of the angled paths helps to increase the saturation, penetration and agitation of the brewing substance so as to help promote uniformity of extraction of the brewing substance. Additionally, directed flow helps facilitate quicker rate of expansion of the brewing substance within the corresponding chamber thereby helping to improve the overall brewing process.

Abstract: A spray head for use with or in combination with a beverage making apparatus. The spray head receives liquid from a liquid dispensing path of the beverage making apparatus and distributes liquid over a beverage making substance retained in close proximity to the spray head. The spray head includes a body portion (14) having a lip (15) extending generally from a periphery of the body portion. A plurality of holes (20) are formed extending through at least the lip portion. A connector (49) is provided for removably attaching the spray head to the beverage making apparatus. The spray head is removable from the beverage making apparatus for facilitating direct contact cleaning of the surfaces of at least the body of the spray head to remove particles and mineral deposits therefrom.

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 an umbrella-like member (34).

Abstract: A coffeemaker including a shower head comprising at least one first hole for dispensing water in a downward direction; and a diverter located below the shower head. The diverter includes at least one second hole for substantially gravity only feed of the water from the shower head in the downward direction towards a coffee grounds pod. The at least one second hole is horizontally offset relative to the at least one first hole to allow velocity of the water from the shower head to decrease before exiting the at least one second hole.

Abstract: A cartridge containing a single serving of a particulate substance extractable by means of water for preparing a beverage, preferably an espresso coffee beverage is disclosed. Between the bottom of the cartridge and the particulate substance as well as between the particulate substance and the cover of the cartridge, in each case a fluid director member is provided, having a plurality of small openings. The one close to the cover serves as a water distribution member for distributing the water, fed into the cartridge through a central opening pierced therein, evenly over the particulate substance, and the one close to the bottom serves as a beverage collection member to lead the beverage to a central opening pierced into the bottom of the cartridge. Both director members are provided with a recess directed towards the interior of the cartridge, allowing the penetration of a piercing member without damage to the director members.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus including a housing having a movable lid; a water heater connected to the housing; and a hot water discharge head connected to the lid for delivering hot water from the hot water heater in a downward direction. The hot water discharge head includes at least two arrays of water discharge holes including a first center array of smaller holes and a second surrounding array of larger holes.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning device comprises a vessel (1), a bottom plate (3), a heating device and a tubular riser (12) arranged in the vessel for heated liquid ascending through the riser, the heated liquid from the upper, open end of the riser running back through force of gravity down and outside of the riser to be reheated and ascend agains through the riser, and so on. The vessel—61) is cylindrical and substantially its entire base (17) can be heated by means of the heating device (171). A plurality of discs (51–54) of equal size are arranged in the upper part of the vessel (1), said discs having a central aperture (510) for the riser (12) and a plurality of small holes (511) distributed uniformly across the entire surface of the discs and provided with drip edges (5110). A distributor (14) is arranged at the upper, open end of the riser (12) to distribute the hot liquid coming out of the ruser uniformly over the uppermost disc (51).

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: A drip coffee maker having a horizontal spray of heated water into a brew basket. Much of the effect of gravity is removed and the spread of heated water may be increased. The horizontal spray shower head may be used to expose the top layer of coffee grinds in the brew basket to an equal amount of hot water within a few seconds of brewing start time. By immersing the coffee grinds in hot water at the same level, the coffee grinds are all subjected to the same water pressure. The water then filters down evenly over the coffee grinds in the brew basket. Thus, the coffee grinds within the brew basket are given maximum exposure to the heated water. This exposure allows more coffee to be extracted from fewer grinds, thus conserving coffee and avoiding overcooking of the grinds.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a brewed beverage, in particular coffee, with the arrangement comprising an approximately truncated-cone shaped filter receptacle for holding a cone-shaped filter insert and a water intake device that is arranged above the filter receptacle and is provided with a water distributor having a plurality of flow-through openings on a side facing the filter receptacle with one flow-through opening be located in the center of the projection surface for the water distributor and the filter receptacle. Additional flow-through openings are arranged along a peripheral line, for which the course approximately corresponds to the peripheral outline of a projection surface for the filter receptacle inside space in the lower to mid-level region of the filter receptacle.

Abstract: A spray head for a coffee making apparatus having a plurality of holes at the bottom of a fluid reservoir for wetting the coffee grounds located below the spray head, the holes raised above a floor of the fluid reservoir by upwardly projecting stand pipes. The elevated hole draws water from a depth spaced from the floor where sediment and lime scaling occurs to delay clogging of the spray head. The arrangement of the holes are selected to wet the grounds evenly, and the size of the holes are preferably selected to create an impact of droplets with the grounds below while maintaining an adequate flow rate through the holes.

Abstract: For use in a single serve beverage brewer in which a measured charge of a dry beverage medium is infused with a metered amount of heated liquid to produce a beverage medium, a reusable beverage filter cartridge is provided for containing the beverage medium and for accommodating an inflow of the heated liquid and an outflow of the beverage medium. The cartridge comprises a cup-shaped housing having a top opening and a closed bottom with an outlet port. A filter internally subdivides the housing into a first chamber accessible via the top opening and configured and dimensioned to contain the beverage medium, and a second chamber communicating with the outlet port. A lid is removably secured to the housing in a position closing the top opening, and an inlet port in the lid serves to admit heated liquid into the first chamber for infusion with the beverage medium contained therein.

Abstract: Described is a coffee machine (1) comprising a brewing member (5, 5′), a support surface (15) for ground coffee and a member (3, 6, 7) for applying water to the ground coffee, in which it is possible to level off the ground coffee positioned on the support surface (15) in a constructionally simple and generally applicable manner to obtain a layer having a substantially uniform thickness. To this end there is provided a member (22, 24, 25, 122, 222, 322) which guides water in a purposefully non-uniform manner over the ground coffee such that the ground coffee is distributed over the support surface (15) in a layer having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus with a brew basket for holding ingredients in particulate form that contain soluble flavorants delivers a predetermined amount of hot water to a spray head positioned above said brew basket. The spray head has a multiplicity of openings positioned and configured in such a manner that the hot water is sprayed uniformly over the entire surface of the ingredients at a predetermined rate thereby wetting substantially all of the particles of the ingredients and uniformly extracting said solubles.

Abstract: A brew basket to hold ground coffee through which water is to pass includes a basket member to support a bed of ground coffee. The basket member has at least one opening therein to permit the egress of water having passed through the bed of coffee. A pan is positioned above the bed of ground coffee to collect water entering the brew basket. The pan has a plurality of spaced holes therein to distribute collected water generally uniformly and gently over the bed of coffee. A coffee-making machine having a sprayhead including a pan to collect water and distribute collected water generally uniformly and evenly over a bed of ground coffee is also provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tankless water heater combined with a beverage brewing/dispenser, whereby the user may selectively dispense either hot water or a heated beverage of the user's choice.

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.

Abstract: A filter for liquids and particularly coffee comprises a container having a planar horizontal base formed with at least one filtrate drainage opening, and on its inner face formed with a plurality of radial ribs and a central support member which together support a generally planar filter element of thin sheet material in spaced parallel relationship to the base. In use the arrangement produces a toroidal circulation of liquid which prevents compaction of the filter cake and reduces clogging of the filter element.

Abstract: A coffeemaker having a ground coffee basket and a heated brewing water spreader positioned generally above the ground coffee basket wherein the spreader includes a generally vertical cylindrical dam wall extending upwardly from a generally flat foraminous wall for permitting brewing water to flow over the dam wall, through an overflow passage and into the ground coffee basket when the spreader has been filled with heated brewing water above the upper surface of the dam wall.

Abstract: A distributor for absorbing kinetic energy from a downwardly directed liquid stream and guiding the liquid stream therefrom in a distributed plurality of divergent paths to a subjacent receiver. The distributor is defined by a central transverse wall against which the liquid stream is impinged to absorb kinetic energy therefrom. An annular portion extends laterally outwardly from the periphery of the transverse wall and is provided with a plurality of upwardly opening grooves for guiding the liquid in a plurality of divergent streams from the transverse wall to the subjacent receiver. The annular portion may be a frustoconical wall and may include lands between the respective grooves. The distributor includes a mounting portion adapted to be connected in fluid conducting relationship to the end of a liquid supply conduit and includes structure for spacing the transverse wall a preselected distance from the outlet of the conduit.