A vending machine for producing beverages. The vending machine presents a user with a number of beverage options and receives the user selection. A plurality of refrigerated containers house various comestibles. An ejection mechanism is disposed within each container for expelling comestibles from the container. Control module selectively actuates the ejection mechanisms to expel comestibles required to make the user-selected beverage. The expelled comestibles slide down along a ramp into a blending chamber. A liquid is dispensed onto the ramp facilitating movement of the comestibles. The control module actuates the blender apparatus to blend the comestibles and the liquid into a homogenous beverage. The beverage is dispensed into a cup. The ramp and the blending chamber are automatically rinsed after preparation of each beverage.

A vending machine for producing beverages. The vending machine presents a user with a number of beverage options and receives the user selection. A plurality of refrigerated containers house various comestibles. An ejection mechanism is disposed within each container for expelling comestibles from the container. Control module selectively actuates the ejection mechanisms to expel comestibles required to make the user-selected beverage. The expelled comestibles slide down along a ramp into a blending chamber. A liquid is dispensed onto the ramp facilitating movement of the comestibles. The control module actuates the blender apparatus to blend the comestibles and the liquid into a homogenous beverage. The beverage is dispensed into a cup. The ramp and the blending chamber are automatically rinsed after preparation of each beverage.

A full immersion brewing system includes an immersion chamber; an extraction material mechanism for introducing extraction material into the immersion chamber; an infusion mechanism for introducing heated liquid and pressurized air into the immersion chamber; and a drain/dispensing mechanism for dispensing, through a filter, infused liquid from the immersion chamber and for enabling removal of extraction material from the immersion chamber. The filter prevents extraction material from being dispensed from the immersion chamber. When the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a first position, infused liquid is dispensed through the filter, and when the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a second position, the filter is positioned so that extraction material and liquid is dispensed without going through the filter. The full immersion brewing system includes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the immersion chamber and the filter.

A full immersion brewing system includes an immersion chamber; an extraction material mechanism for introducing extraction material into the immersion chamber; an infusion mechanism for introducing heated liquid and pressurized air into the immersion chamber; and a drain/dispensing mechanism for dispensing, through a filter, infused liquid from the immersion chamber and for enabling removal of extraction material from the immersion chamber. The filter prevents extraction material from being dispensed from the immersion chamber. When the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a first position, infused liquid is dispensed through the filter, and when the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a second position, the filter is positioned so that extraction material and liquid is dispensed without going through the filter. The full immersion brewing system includes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the immersion chamber and the filter.

A motorized brewing unit for preparing beverages from a powdered product has a dispensing assembly having a first assembly part provided with a receptacle adapted to receive the powdered product, and a second assembly part, relative to which the first assembly part is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the first assembly part and the second assembly part are coupled to each other to define a brewing chamber therebetween. The motorized brewing unit has an electric motor that controls movement of the first assembly part between the open position and the closed position and a readout device that provides a digital image of the powdered product. The readout device has an optical sensor. The receptacle faces the optical sensor when the first assembly part is in a detection position, intermediate between the open position and the closed position.

A beverage brewer spray apparatus includes a lid, a dispersal member, and a skirt. The lid has an obverse and converse surfaces. The dispersal member extends from the converse surface of the lid at an open proximal end of the dispersal member. The skirt has a proximal end fixed to and extending outward from the converse surface of the lid. The dispersal member has a sidewall and a closed distal end defining an interior of the dispersal member. The sidewall has apertures arranged in a distal section of the sidewall. The lid has a through-hole formed between the obverse and converse surfaces, and the dispersal member is fixed to the converse surface such that the through-hole provides fluid communication from the obverse surface of the lid to the apertures through the interior of the dispersal member. The apertures are configured to direct liquid outward from the dispersal member.

A beverage brewer spray apparatus includes a lid, a dispersal member, and a skirt. The lid has an obverse and converse surfaces. The dispersal member extends from the converse surface of the lid at an open proximal end of the dispersal member. The skirt has a proximal end fixed to and extending outward from the converse surface of the lid. The dispersal member has a sidewall and a closed distal end defining an interior of the dispersal member. The sidewall has apertures arranged in a distal section of the sidewall. The lid has a through-hole formed between the obverse and converse surfaces, and the dispersal member is fixed to the converse surface such that the through-hole provides fluid communication from the obverse surface of the lid to the apertures through the interior of the dispersal member. The apertures are configured to direct liquid outward from the dispersal member.

A revolving beverage holder may position a first opening of a revolving beverage holder under a dispensing point of a machine. The revolving beverage holder may receive a component of a drink from the machine with a vessel positioned within the first opening. The revolving beverage holder may automatically rotate a plate to position a vessel in a second opening of the revolving beverage holder under the dispensing point of the machine.

A revolving beverage holder may position a first opening of a revolving beverage holder under a dispensing point of a machine. The revolving beverage holder may receive a component of a drink from the machine with a vessel positioned within the first opening. The revolving beverage holder may automatically rotate a plate to position a vessel in a second opening of the revolving beverage holder under the dispensing point of the machine.

A back-blush cleaning container may have a spring-biased piston that allows the container to fill with hot water when attached to a group head of the espresso machine. When the hot water of the espresso machine is turned off, the piston due to the spring urges the hot water out and back through a 3-way valve to clean the espresso machine. The backflush cleaning container also may have a steam conduit that allows steam from a steam wand of the espresso machine to clean the group head, 3-way valve and tubes. Moreover, the container may have a window which based on the position of the piston, a particular color is shown. The colors indicate whether the container is safe to remove from the group head of the espresso machine and when the container is full of water.