Abstract:
A flow control assembly ( 20 ) for use in conjunction with a funnel assembly ( 22 ) of a brewing system. The flow control assembly comprises a body ( 28 ) which has a magnetic portion ( 26 ) and a stopper ( 24 ). The body is desirably attached to a portion of the funnel assembly such as a basket ( 48 ) contained within the funnel assembly by a couple ( 42 ). The flow control assembly further includes a magnetic actuator ( 90 ) and a controller ( 104 ) connected to the brewing system for controllably displacing the stopper relative to an outlet aperture in a wall of the funnel assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for use with a beverage making apparatus and more particularly to a device which is used to prevent or control the outflow of liquid from a beverage substance holder such as a funnel assembly. 
     A variety of beverage making devices are available to provide some form of control for liquid flowing into and out of a beverage substance holder. By way of review, a beverage substance holder retains a filter material or structure and a charge of beverage making substance, for example, ground coffee or tea material. Water is dispensed into the beverage substance holder so as to infuse the beverage making substance and cause a beverage to be extracted. 
     Devices have been designed which control the flow of water into the beverage substance holder. Also, devices have been created which prevent the flow of beverage out of the substance holder such as when the beverage container is removed from beneath the holder. 
     For example, drip-stopping devices used in the home beverage industry have been designed which allow the beverage container, or “coffee pot”, to be removed from a brewing apparatus. The drip-stopping device prevents coffee from continuing to flow from the funnel assembly after the coffee pot is removed. In this situation, a mechanical interface with the coffee pot results in a covering of or plugging of an outlet aperture in the brewing funnel assembly assembly. 
     One of the problems that arises with such drip-stopping devices is that after the funnel assembly is removed from the brewer, the drip-stopping mechanism no longer functions. For example, if the drip-stopping mechanism requires the coffee pot to activate mechanical structures on the funnel assembly assembly. Once the funnel assembly is removed from the brewing system and is no longer contacting the coffee pot, the drip-stopping feature cannot function. 
     Further, the drip-stopping devices currently in use are generally not controllable. In this regard, the funnel assembly and drip-stopping mechanism described above will not be controllable other than by use of the coffee pot activating the mechanical structures. No known devices controllably operate the opening and closing of the outlet aperture in the funnel assembly. 
     It would be desirable to provide some degree of control of the flow, through the outlet aperture in the funnel assembly, so as to provide additional control relating to the characteristics of the brewed beverage. For example, such an apparatus could be used to control the steep time associated with a particular beverage brewing substance such as tea or coffee. When used with coffee, different flavor profiles or flavor characteristics could be obtained. Similarly, with tea, different flavor profiles and characteristics could be obtained through controllably steeping the tea through intermittent opening and closing of the outlet aperture. 
     The intermittent control or pulse brewing by the device could be used to pulse brew a beverage from the funnel assembly, thereby limiting the amount of brewed beverage that is pulsed from the funnel assembly during a given brewing cycle. This may result in extended contact between the ground coffee or tea particles and the brewing water, thereby altering the characteristics extracted from the substance. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure envisions a flow control assembly which is attached to the beverage substance holder or funnel assembly to controllably open and close an outlet aperture in the funnel assembly. The flow control assembly may be attached to the funnel assembly as well as an internal structure such as a wire frame structure or basket used to support a filter material. 
     The present disclosure envisions using a stopper and a magnetic portion which are connected to each other, or as a single structure, for opening or closing the outlet aperture in the funnel assembly. The magnetic portion is associated with an attractive or repulsive magnetic actuator such as an electromagnet attached to the beverage making apparatus or other structure so that the magnetic portion is moved by the magnetic actuator. The movement of the magnetic portion by the actuator either opens or closes the outlet aperture by displacing the stopper attached thereto. 
     The present disclosure also envisions using a controllable actuator in combination with the magnetic portion. An electromagnet may be used to controllably engage and disengage the magnetic portion from the actuator. In this regard, the present disclosure can controllably open and close the outlet aperture to control the flow of the beverage passing therethrough. 
     The present disclosure also envisions providing a flow control assembly and actuator which are retrofittable to an existing beverage system and beverage substance holder. 
     The present disclosure also envisions a flow control assembly which can be mounted internally of the beverage substance holder or externally thereof. The flow control assembly in either configuration includes a stopper which is attached or otherwise connected to a magnetic portion to provide the desired structure and function of the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure also envisions controllable devices associated with the flow control assembly to provide the controllable dispensing of beverage from the beverage substance holder or funnel assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage substance holder or funnel assembly showing a funnel assembly in which a wire-form structure or basket is positioned, with a flow control assembly of the present disclosure retained therein for controllably opening and closing an outlet aperture in the funnel assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stopper portion of the flow control assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stopper portion engaging the outlet aperture; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to that as shown in  FIG. 1  in which the beverage substance holder has been attached to a beverage system and shows a magnetic portion of the flow control assembly engaged with an actuator retained on the beverage system to disengage the stopper of the stopper assembly from the outlet aperture; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the brewing substance holder as shown in  FIG. 1  showing a flow control assembly attached to a wire frame basket contained within the brewing substance holder; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side-elevational view of the flow control assembly as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged top plan view of the flow control assembly as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side-elevational, cross-sectional view similar to that as shown in  FIG. 1  in which another embodiment of the flow control assembly is provided; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged side-elevational view of the flow control assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the flow control assembly as shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the brewing substance holder as shown in  FIG. 7  similar to that as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the flow control assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stopper disengaged from the outlet aperture; and 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the flow control assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stopper disengaged from the outlet aperture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is generally shown in  FIG. 1  in which a flow control assembly or means for controlling fluid flow  20  is used in conjunction with a beverage substance holder or funnel assembly  22  having walls  155  with an interior surface  54  and an exterior surface  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the flow control assembly  20  includes a stopper  24  and a magnetic portion  26  which are attached or coupled to each other. In the present embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1–6  a retainer or body  28  holds the stopper  24  on a stopper mount  30  on a stopper end  32  of the body  28 . The magnetic portion  26  is retained on a magnet mount  34  on magnet end  36  of the body  28 . Clearance or passages  105 ,  107  are provided on the mounts  34 ,  30  to allow the respective magnetic portion  26  and stopper  24  to be snapped into position therein. It is envisioned that the magnetic portion  26  and stopper  24  could also be molded into place on the respective ends  36 ,  32  of the body  28  by use of an over molded plastic material. Attached to the body  28  is a coupler  42  positioned there-between. In the embodiment as shown, a counterweight  44  is attached proximate to the stopper  24  to provide balancing weight relative to the coupler  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a wire-formed structure or basket  48  is retained in the brewing substance holder or funnel assembly  22 . The basket  48  is retained in the funnel assembly  22  in order to hold a filter material or filter paper  50  therein. The basket  48  provides a space  52  between the interior surface  54  of the funnel assembly  22  and the filter material  50  to space the filter material away from an interior surface  54  of the funnel assembly  22 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , when a charge of beverage making substance  56  such as ground coffee is placed in the filter material  50 , and a quantity of water is dispensed over the ground coffee to infuse it to produce a beverage  88  such as coffee, the space  52  provides greater surface area for the beverage to seep from the filter material  50  into the funnel assembly  22 . The funnel assembly  22  includes an outlet aperture  58  generally positioned in a bottom area  60  thereof. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2  the outlet aperture  58  of funnel assembly  22  is further formed by an internal threaded insert  57  and an external threaded insert  59 . The external threaded insert  59  contains threaded groves (not shown) on its interior surface and is placed on the exterior surface  100  of the outlet aperture  58  of funnel assembly  22 . The exterior surface of internal threaded insert  57  contains threads which engage the external threaded insert  59 . An end opposite the threads of the internal threaded insert  57  includes a ridge  61 . The ridge  61  protrudes slightly from the surface of internal threaded insert  57 . This slight protrusion forms a raised surface or gasket ridge  61  on the bottom  60  of funnel assembly  22  which surrounds the outlet aperture  58 . 
     Raised surface or gasket ridge  61  provides a reduced surface area which stopper  24  must contact. The reduced surface area allows stopper  24  to better occlude or otherwise seal outlet aperture  58 , thereby stopping the flow of beverage  88  from funnel assembly  22 . Further, the reduced surface area formed by raised surface or gasket ridge  61  allows for stopper  24  to be more easily displaced. 
     The internal threaded insert  57  is placed on the bottom  60  of funnel assembly  22  and passes from the interior surface  54  of funnel assembly  22  through the outlet aperture  58  of funnel assembly  22  and engages the corresponding threads of the external threaded insert  59 . The threaded inserts  57  and  59  are then rotated to fully engage each other until a seal is formed by bringing the threaded inserts  57  and  59  into contact with the interior surface  54  and exterior surface  100  of the outlet aperture  58  of funnel assembly  22 . The configuration of the fully engaged threaded inserts  57  and  59  form a generally rigid replaceable outlet aperture in the bottom  60  of funnel assembly  22 . The replaceable nature of the threaded inserts  57  and  59  allow for easy replacement of the aperture should the raised surface or ridge  61  become worn or damaged. 
     It is contemplated that the threaded inserts  57  and  59  could be arranged in opposite orientation, having threads on the exterior surface of external threaded insert  59  and the interior of internal threaded insert. Additionally, threaded inserts  57  and  59  may also utilize other suitable means for fastening known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The flow control assembly  20  of the present disclosure is attached to the basket  48  by attaching the couplers  42  thereto. With reference to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that there are a pair of couplers  42  which attach to spaced apart portions of the basket  48 . The flow control assembly  20  is retained within a gap  64  between a bottom of the basket  48  and an interior surface  54  of the bottom  68  of the funnel assembly  22 . 
       FIG. 1  shows the flow control assembly  20  with the stopper  24  engaged to cover or otherwise occlude or block the outlet aperture  58 . As a result, if beverage  88  drains into the bottom area  60  of the funnel assembly  22 , the beverage will accumulate because the stopper  24  is closing or occluding the outlet aperture  58 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , the funnel assembly  22  has been positioned proximate to a beverage making apparatus or system  72 . The apparatus  72  has a housing  74  of a generally known construction such that mounting structure or rails (not shown) are provided on an overhanging portion  76  of the housing  74 .  FIGS. 4 and 10  show extending flanges  77  on the funnel assembly  22  for engaging the rails which retain the funnel assembly  22  on the apparatus  72 . In this regard, the funnel assembly  22  can be positioned in close proximity to a spray head assembly  78  of the apparatus  72 . Positioning the funnel assembly  22  underneath the spray head assembly  78  allows for a spray of water  80  to be dispensed into a cavity  82  of the funnel assembly  22 . As the water infuses the ground coffee or other beverage substance  56  retained in the funnel assembly  22 , a beverage  88  is dispensed from and seeps through the filter paper  50  and drains towards the outlet aperture  58 . As shown, a container  86  is positioned below the funnel assembly  22  to collect the beverage  88  drained from the funnel assembly  22 . The container  86  may be in the form of a beverage carafe, a larger volume beverage container and server or any other version of a container for collecting beverage  88  dispensed from the funnel assembly  22 . 
     Terms including brewed, brewing, brewing substance, brewing liquid, and brewed beverage as used herein are intended to be broadly defined as including but not limited to the brewing of coffee, tea and any other brewed beverage. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to any process of infusing, steeping, reconstituting, diluting, dissolving, saturating or pass a liquid through or otherwise mixing or combining a beverage substance with a liquid such as water without a limitation to the temperature of such liquid unless specified. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but is not limited to beverage substances such as ground coffee, tea, liquid beverage concentrate, powdered beverage concentrate, freeze dried coffee or other beverage concentrates, to obtain a desired beverage or other food. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the magnetic portion  26  of the flow control assembly  20  has been displaced from the position as shown in  FIG. 1  and drawn downward  89 , towards a magnetic actuator  90  shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , magnetic actuator  90  provides an attractive or repulsive structure  94  for magnetic portion  26 . In this embodiment, attractive structure  94  draws the magnetic portion  26  downwardly  89  towards the magnetic actuator  90 . The magnetic actuator  90  includes a holder portion  92  which can be attached to a portion of the apparatus  72  to position the attractive structure  94  retained thereon relative to the magnetic portion  26  of the flow control assembly  20 . In this manner, when the funnel assembly  22  is positioned on the apparatus  72 , the magnetic actuator  90 , having the attractive structure  94  thereon, draws the magnetic portion  26  of the flow control assembly  20  downwardly  89  thereto. As the magnetic portion  26  is attracted to the magnetic actuator  90 , the body  28  pivots about a pivot point  96  on the basket  48 . The coupler  42  on the body  28  allows the flow control assembly  20  to pivot relative to the pivot point  96 . As a result of the pivoting action of the body  28 , the stopper  24  is displaced  97  from the outlet aperture  58  to allow beverage  88  in the funnel assembly  22  to drain through the outlet aperture  58 . 
     The foregoing general description of the present disclosure is directed to the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1–6 . It should be noted, that other forms of the flow control assembly as shown in  FIGS. 1–6  can be devised to provide a similar or the same structure and function as the disclosure set forth in these FIGS. For example,  FIGS. 7–10  show another embodiment of the flow control assembly  20   a  and  FIGS. 11 and 12  show additional embodiments of the flow control assembly  20   b  and  20   c . With reference to the other embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 7–12 , reference to similar structures will be made with the addition of the alphabetic suffix “a, b or c”. Structures which are identical will be referred to with the same reference number as shown in  FIGS. 1–6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the flow control assembly  20   a  is mounted in a similar manner to the basket  48  of the funnel assembly  22 . The flow control assembly  20   a  includes the stopper  24  and the magnetic portion  26 . The structure of the body  28   a  is slightly different than that as shown in  FIGS. 1–6 . In this regard, reference is made to  FIGS. 8 and 9  to illustrate that the body  28   a  is formed from a rod material. As shown, the body  28   a  includes a magnet mount  34   a  and a stopper mount  30   a . Coupler  42   a  is formed in or attached to the body  20   a.    
     It should be noted that the body  28   a  can also be formed of a generally rigid resilient material such as metal or plastic. In this regard, the strip of metal or plastic can be stamped or molded in the desired shape to provide the appropriate clearances and dimensions for operation thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the magnet mount  34  and stopper mount  30  are curved sections of the respective magnet end  36  and stopper end  38 . 
     Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1–6 , the magnet mount  34   a  and stopper mount  30   a  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  provide passages  105   a ,  107   a  to allow the magnetic portion  26  and stopper  24  to be respectively snapped into position therein. Similarly, the magnetic portion  26  and stopper  24  could be molded into position on the respective ends  36 ,  32  of a metallic version or as part of the molded assembly of a plastic version. 
     The flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  shown in the FIGS. can be easily attached to the basket  48 . Similarly, flow control assemblies  20 ,  20   a  include radii and dimensions which generally comply with the requirements for the National Sanitation Foundation. The couplers  42 ,  42   a  allow the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  to be quickly and easily attached to and removed from the basket  48  without the use of tools. As such, the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  can be captivly retained within the funnel assembly  22  on the basket  48  to selectively engage and disengage the stopper  24  from the outlet aperture  58 . A cross-member  99  provides a stop to limit the rotation of the magnet portion end  36  of the flow control assembly  20  to prevent rotation of the magnetic portion  26  upwardly through a space in neighboring ribs  101 ,  103  (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     Yet another alternative embodiment of the flow control assembly  20  is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . In this embodiment,  FIG. 11  shows stopper  24   b  formed of a magnetic material. The flange  132  of stopper  24   b  having centering portion  130  may be formed of or coated in silicone or any other suitable material for engaging ridge  61  to prevent the flow of beverage  88  from funnel assembly  22 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , it is also contemplated that a separate stopper  24   c  may be attached to a separate magnetic body  201 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  the retainer  28   b  is a foraminous structure.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show embodiments of flow control assembly  20   b ,  20   c  where stoppers  24   b ,  24   c  are captivly retained in the area proximate to the outlet aperture  58  within the foraminous structure  28   b  having a generally vertical surface  211  and a top surface  213 . The generally vertical surface  211  of the foraminous structure  28   b  contains at least one and preferably a plurality of openings  207  through which beverage  88  can flow. The top surface  213  may also contain a plurality of openings  207 . It is also contemplated that the foraminous structure  28   b  not have discrete openings but may be mounted over the outlet aperture  58  on feet which create a gap through which beverage  88  may flow. 
     While it is contemplated that other shapes may be suitable, the foraminous structure  28   b  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is of a generally cylindrical shape having an internal diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the flange  132  of stopper  24   b ,  24   c . The slightly larger internal diameter of the foraminous structure  28   b  allows stopper  24   b ,  24   c  to maintain a desired orientation relative to outlet aperture  58  when it is displaced  209  from the outlet aperture  58 . 
     The foraminous structure  28   b  is attached to the bottom  60  interior surface  54  of funnel assembly  22  proximate to the outlet aperture  58 . The foraminous structure  28   b  is dimensioned to fit within the gap  64  between the basket  48  and the bottom  60  of the funnel assembly  22  generally without interfering with the engagement of the basket  48  and the funnel assembly  22 . 
     When displaced  209  from the outlet aperture  58 , the stopper  24   b ,  24   c  moves within the foraminous structure  28   b  away from outlet aperture  58  and is retained within foraminous structure  28   b  by top surface  213 . After the stopper  24   b ,  24   c  is displaced from outlet aperture  58 , beverage  88  may freely flow through the plurality of openings  207  and out outlet aperture  58 . 
     In order to displace stopper  24   b ,  24   c  from outlet aperture  58  a magnetic actuator  90   b ,  90   c  is employed. As shown in  FIG. 11 , magnetic actuator  90   b  is located proximate to and slightly below outlet aperture  58 . Magnetic actuator  90   b  has repulsive structure  94   b  which is located beneath the outlet aperture  58 . Repulsive structure  94   b  may be a magnet or an electromagnet. Repulsive structure  94   b  may be dimensioned to contain an aperture through which fluid leaving the outlet aperture  58  may flow. In the alternative, repulsive structure  94   b  may be dimensioned to form an arc, semi-circle, or other shape which partially surrounds outlet aperture  58 . 
     It is also contemplated that magnetic actuator  90   b  may alternatively be located proximate to outlet aperture  58  as opposed to directly under outlet aperture  58 . In this position, repulsive structure  94   b  would not need to contain an aperture. 
     It is further contemplated that repulsive structure  94   b  of magnetic actuator  90   b  may be located on the bottom  60  external surface  100  of funnel assembly  22 . In this orientation, holder portion  92   b  would not be needed. 
     In either location, when magnetic actuator  90   b  is activated, a repulsive magnetic force relative to stopper  24   b  is generated. The magnetic force from magnetic actuator  90   b  displaces stopper  24   b  from outlet aperture  58  and causes stopper  24   b  to move within the foraminous structure  28   b  away from outlet aperture  58  where it is retained within foraminous structure  28   b  by top surface  213 . 
       FIG. 12  shows magnetic actuator  90   c . In this position, magnetic actuator  90   c  is shown located proximate to spray head assembly  78 . It is contemplated that magnetic actuator  90   c  may alternatively be located on basket  48 . The attractive structure  94   c  on magnetic actuator  90   c  may be a magnet or an electromagnet. When engaged, magnetic actuator  90   c  generates an attractive magnetic force relative to the stopper  24   c . The magnetic force from magnetic actuator  90   c  displaces stopper  24   c  from outlet aperture  58  and causes stopper  24   c  to move within foraminous structure  28   b  away from outlet aperture  58  towards basket  48  where it is retained within foraminous structure  28   b  by top surface  213 . 
     As an additional consideration, the present disclosure may be retrofitted onto existing funnel assemblies  22  and brewing systems  72 . For example, the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  can be attached to an existing basket  48  retained in an existing funnel assembly  22 . Similarly, the magnetic actuator  90  can be attached to a corresponding housing  74  of a brewing system  72  to position the attractive structure  94  in appropriate proximity to attract the magnetic portion  26  of the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a.    
     As an additional consideration, it is envisioned that the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  of the present disclosure can be attached to the exterior surface  100  of the funnel assembly  22 . In this regard, the magnetic portion  26  can be positioned to engage and disengage the corresponding stopper  24  attached to the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  to open and close the outlet aperture  58  from outside of funnel assembly  22 . Based on the information disclosed herein, one of ordinary skill in the art, using the teachings as provided herein, would be able to provide a pivot point  96  on the exterior surface  100  of the funnel assembly  22  to allow the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a  to pivot relative to the outlet aperture  58 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3 ,  11  and  12  the present disclosure envisions a system which will also allow control of the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  to open and close the outlet aperture  58  to intermittently drain beverage  88  from the funnel assembly  22 . In these embodiments, the attractive structures  94 ,  94   b ,  94   c  of magnetic actuators  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  are electromagnets connected via line  102  to a controller  104 . The controller can respond by sending a pre-programmed series of activations to the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  or can operate in response to other control devices which generate unique predetermined signals. For example, a pause button  108  can be provided on the brewing system  72  connected via line  110  to the controller  104 . The pause button  108  could operate the controller  104  to activate and deactivate magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c . In this manner, the deactivation of the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  would cause the stopper  24 ,  24   b ,  24   c  to close the outlet aperture  58 . As a result, a user could then remove the container  86  from beneath the funnel assembly  22  without continuous dripping of beverage  88  from the funnel assembly  22 . The pause button  108  might need to be reactivated in order to activate the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  to disengage the stopper  24 ,  24   b ,  24   c  from the outlet aperture  58 . 
     The controller  104  may also be coupled via line  112  to a container sensor  114  or other device such as a switch which is attached the brewing system  72 . A corresponding device  116  could be attached the container  86 . The sensing by the container sensor,  114  of device  116  in close proximity, may provide a unique signal or absence of a signal over line  112  to the controller  104  to indicate that magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  should be actuated to open the outlet aperture  58 . This would allow beverage  88  to drain from the funnel assembly  22  into the container  86  when it is present. If the container  86  is moved such that the container sensor  114  no longer detects device  116  in close enough proximity, the container sensor may provide a separate unique signal or absence of a signal over line  112  to the controller  104 , the controller  104  may then activate the magnetic actuator to disengage the magnetic portion  26  thereby causing stopper  24 ,  24   b ,  24   c  to close or occlude the outlet aperture  58 . This would cause the brewed beverage  88  to stop draining from the funnel assembly  22  when the container  86  is removed from beneath the funnel assembly  22 . 
     It is further contemplated that the container sensor  114  may also detect different types of devices  116  or other attributes of the container such as color, shape, size, or texture. It is envisioned that any detectable attribute may be used. The different devices  116  or attributes detected by container sensor  114  may be communicated down line  112  to controller  104  which may interpret the signal to indicate the presence of a certain type of container  86 , which indicates the corresponding type of beverage  88  to be produced. For instance, different types of coffees or teas can be indicated by the container  86  into which they will be produced. The controller  104  then can send a preprogrammed series of signals over line  102  to activate and deactivate the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c , thereby causing the stopper  24 ,  24   b ,  24   c  to open or close the outlet aperture  58  at preprogrammed times. 
     This preprogrammed opening and closing of outlet aperture  58  will allow for steep times to be individually set or preprogrammed for a variety of brewed beverages. Additionally the preprogrammed opening and closing of outlet aperture  58  could allow for the brewing system to temporarily cease operation in response to certain specified conditions. For example, when a predetermined temperature of water used in the brewing process is reached or is no longer present, when a predetermined volume of water remains in the brewing system, when the current brewing cycle has ended, or any other condition in which cessation of the brewing process would be desirable. 
     It is also contemplated that the controller  104  may be in communication with a controllable valve  120  over line  124 . The controllable valve may be a solenoid valve, pinch valve, or any other suitable structure known to those of skill in the art. The controllable valve  120  may be provided at a predetermined location on a fluid delivery system  122  associated with the spray head assembly  78 . The controllable valve may be coupled over line  124  to the controller  104 . In this manner, the controllable valve  120  could also be operated in response to any one of the variety of signals described herein. For example, if the pause button  108  is activated, the controller  104  can control the magnetic actuator  90  as well as the controllable valve  120 . The controller  104  may be preprogrammed such that if the brew cycle has achieved a certain period of time or quantity of water dispensed into the funnel assembly  22 , the controllable valve  120  may remain open or closed. This would be useful in a situation where the remaining time or quantity of water to be dispensed into the funnel assembly  22  would be greater than the volume of the funnel assembly  22  thereby preventing overflowing of the funnel assembly  22 . 
     Alternatively, the controllable valve could also be operated anytime a second sensor  151  communicated a signal down second sensor line  153  to controller  104 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second sensor  151  is located proximate to funnel assembly  22 . The second sensor  151  is capable of sensing the level of fluid  157  in the funnel assembly  22 . The second sensor  151  can be for example, an optical, acoustical, conductive, thermal or any other sensor suitable to detect a level of fluid  157 . 
     Also, the controllable valve  120  could be operated so as to further enhance the pulsing or steeping functions described herein. The controllable valve  120  and the magnetic actuator  90  may be controlled by the controller  104  in combination with one another to achieve a variety of desired preprogrammed brewing and steeping times as determined by the container sensor  114  in response to the type of devices  116  or attributes detected on the container  86 . 
     Further, it is contemplated that the controller  104  may operate the controllable valve  120  and the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  in combination with one another in response to a manual control apparatus  159 . It is envisioned that the manual control apparatus  159  may be in the form of a push button, a rocker switch, a multi position rotational switch, a numeric keypad, or any other manual control known to those of skill in the art. Through the use of the manual control apparatus  159 , a user may select the type of beverage to be brewed by the brewing system  72 . After the user makes a selection, the manual control apparatus  159  may send a signal over line  161  to controller  104 . Controller  104  then may operate controllable valve  120  and the magnetic actuator  90 ,  90   b ,  90   c  in combination with one another to achieve the desired preprogrammed brewing and steeping times. 
     The present disclosure in any of its forms still results in the flow control assembly  20 ,  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  closing the outlet aperture  58  of funnel assembly  22  when the magnetic portion  26  is moved relative to magnetic actuator  90 . For example, at the end of a brew cycle the funnel assembly  22  must be removed from the brewing system  72  to empty and replace the spent brewing beverage brewing substance  56 . The present disclosure prevents the funnel assembly  22  from dripping when it is removed from the brewing system  72  while the spent beverage brewing substance is removed and the funnel assembly  22  refilled. 
     The stopper  24  is formed of a suitable, flexible material which can take any of a variety of forms. As shown in the FIGS., the stopper  24  includes a centering portion  130  and an outlying flange  132 . The outlying flange  132  extends over the partially, conically shaped outlet aperture  58 . It is also envisioned that the outlying flange  132  may be dimensioned to occlude the outlet aperture  58  by fitting snugly therein. The magnetic portion  26  is encapsulated in a suitable food grade plastic material such as Santoprene to seal it from the food substances retained within the funnel assembly  22 . 
     Applicants have provided descriptions and FIGS. which are intended as an illustration of certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The disclosure of the FIGS. and descriptions thereof are not intended to be construed as containing or implying limitation of the invention to those embodiments. Though we appreciate that, although applicant has described various aspects of the invention with respect to specific embodiments, various alternatives and modifications will be apparent from the present disclosure which are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as set forth herein.