An infuser includes a base having a cylindrical mounting base mounted on the base, a rotating ring surrounding the mounting base, a tubular structure with perforated top and bottom axially mounted on the top surface of the mounting base by liquid seal and a spring axially mounted between the base and rotating ring by precompression. The spring underprops the rotating ring permanently. A through flow channel is formed axially in the mounting base. The rotating ring is provided with a waterstop block. The waterstop block closes the flow channel by liquid seal. When the rotating ring rotates against the mounting base, it performs axially reciprocating motion against the mounting base at the same time. The waterstop block opens the flow channel optionally, the liquid in the tubular structure flows down through the flow channel.

Provided is a ceramic filter for a beverage, the ceramic filter requiring a permeation time ranging from 3 seconds to 15 seconds in a case where 150 ml of hot water having a temperature of 90 C. is introduced, having a total pore volume of 0.230 to 0.270 cm.sup.3/g, and having a median pore diameter of 100 to 160 m. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the ceramic filter.

Coffee machine (10) comprising a machine frame (12), a pot (14) which has a bottom wall (16), a circumferential side wall (18), an inlet opening (20) provided in an upper portion of the pot (14), and an outlet opening (22) provided in a lower and outer portion of the pot (14), wherein the pot (14) is mounted to the machine frame (12) in a manner so as to be pivotable relative to the machine frame (12) about a horizontal pivot axis (24) between a coffee preparation position and a coffee distribution position, in which the outlet opening (22) is positioned at a lower vertical level than in the coffee preparation position, a valve mechanism (26) including a closure element (28), wherein the closure element (28) and the pot (14) are movable relative to each other between a closed position, in which the closure element (28) closes the outlet opening (22).

An apparatus includes a body, a removable first container for water for positioning on the body, a boiler within the body receives water from the first container, a heater adjacent to the boiler heats the water in accordance with at least one preparation parameter. The apparatus further includes a removable second container that is a combination milk carafe and boiler for positioning on the body and a separate heater adjacent to the milk carafe and boiler for heating the milk in accordance with at least one preparation parameter. A filter and a dispensing valve are controlled electronically. An interface and display for entering brewing parameters and a microcomputer for the controlling the apparatus.

A coffee maker includes a frame, and a brew basket slidably mounted to the frame. The brew basket includes a beverage outlet. A drip stop mechanism operatively associated with the brew basket includes a slider slidably mounted to an underside of the brew basket and a catch member mounted on the frame. The slider is adapted to move from a sealed, closed position where the beverage outlet is closed by the slider toward a brew, open position where the beverage outlet is open as the brew basket is being mounted on the frame. The slider is adapted to move from the open position toward the closed position as the brew basket is removed from the frame. The catch member is adapted to engage the slider as the brew basket is being mounted on the frame.

Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

A ceramic filter 1 requires a permeation time ranging from 3 seconds to 15 seconds in a case where 150 ml of hot water having a temperature of 90 C. is introduced, has a total pore volume of 0.230 to 0.270 cm.sup.3/g, and has a median pore diameter of 100 to 160 m. A method for manufacturing the ceramic filter 1 includes a kneading process of obtaining a kneaded material in which 55 to 65 mass % of alumina, 6 to 12 mass % of bentonite, 6 to 10 mass % of water-insoluble organic fine particles, and 15 to 30 mass % of water are mixed, a primary molding process of molding a primary molded article by manually pressing the kneaded material against a filter mold, a secondary molding process of molding a secondary molded article by performing press working on the primary molded article molded in the primary molding process, and a firing process of firing the secondary molded article molded in the secondary molding process.

A coffee filter holder configured to be placed on a coffee pot and to receive a filtering arrangement that is at least partially filled with coffee powder, the coffee filter holder including a conical receiver for the filtering arrangement, the conical receiver including a base side pass through opening and a base plate configured to support the coffee filter holder on the coffee pot; and a valve arrangement that is arranged below the base plate wherein the valve arrangement is actuated by a weight of the coffee filter holder when the coffee filter holder is placed on the coffee pot.

A coffee maker and a coffee preparation method thereof are disclosed, the coffee maker includes: a stator frame; a grinding chamber including a cavity is mounted on the stator frame, and a cover; the cavity is covered by the cover to enclose a grinding cavity, a bottom of the grinding cavity having a beverage outlet communicated with the beverage cavity; a grinding device including a grinding knife tackle disposed in the grinding cavity, and a motor disposed outside the grinding cavity to drive the grinding knife tackle to rotate; a coffee strainer, circularly arranged on a peripheral of the grinding knife tackle; a lower end of the coffee strainer abuts a bottom wall of the grinding cavity to separate the grinding cavity into a grinding bean cavity and a beverage cavity disposed on the periphery of the grinding bean cavity.

The present invention is directed to a device for brewing beverages in which the rate of flow of brew liquid through a brewing media and filtration media is precisely and consistently controlled in an analog fashion.