Patent Publication Number: US-2022218145-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for forming frozen beverage blocks

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/367,972, filed Mar. 28, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,297,976, issued Apr. 12, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/582,942, filed May 1, 2017, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/331,250, filed May 3, 2016, now expired, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Today, coffee shops serve many different types of iced coffee beverages. This is generally achieved by pouring hot coffee into a cup that is pre-filled with ice cubes or pouring ice cubes into a cup that is pre-filled with hot coffee. However, this solution results in the iced coffee product being diluted, thereby negatively affecting the flavor and taste of the iced coffee beverage. A current option for the coffee shop to avoid dilution of its iced coffee products is to brew coffee, manually pour the brewed coffee into an ice cube tray, and then place the loaded ice cube tray into a freezer for freezing. However, this is a time consuming process and if the coffee shop employee forgets to initiate the process, the coffee shop will be left without any available coffee ice cubes. Thus, a need exists for a solution to the above-noted problem. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a method of forming frozen beverage blocks from a liquid beverage. The method may include introducing a beverage into a hot beverage reservoir of a beverage receiving subsystem to initiate the process. Next, the beverage may flow from the hot beverage reservoir of the beverage receiving subsystem into a cooling subsystem. The flow from the hot beverage reservoir into the cooling subsystem and also through the cooling subsystem may be done entirely via gravity. Cool air may be blown across the cooling subsystem to cool the beverage as the beverage flows through the cooling subsystem. Upon the temperature of the beverage being measured at or below a predetermined lower threshold temperature, the beverage may be permitted to flow, via gravity, from the cooling subsystem into a cool beverage reservoir of a freezing subsystem. The freezing subsystem may be configured to convert the beverage from a liquid into frozen beverage blocks. 
     In one embodiment, the invention may be an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage, the integrated apparatus comprising: a hot water supply subsystem configured to heat water to form hot water; a brewing subsystem configured to receive and mix the hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem with a beverage additive to form a hot beverage; a cooling subsystem configured to receive the hot beverage generated by the brewing sub-system, cool the hot beverage to form a cooled beverage, and discharge the cooled beverage to a cool beverage reservoir of a freezing subsystem; and wherein liquid flow of the hot water, the hot beverage, and the cooled beverage along a primary beverage processing flow path from the hot water supply subsystem to the cool beverage reservoir of the freezing subsystem is gravity driven. 
     In another embodiment, the invention may be an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage, the integrated apparatus comprising: a hot water supply subsystem configured to heat water to form hot water, the hot water supply system comprising a hot water outlet at a first elevation; a brewing subsystem configured to receive and mix the hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem with a beverage additive to form a hot beverage, the brewing subsystem comprising a hot water inlet at a second elevation that is less than the first elevation, and a hot beverage outlet that is at a third elevation that is less than the second elevation; a cooling subsystem configured to receive the hot beverage generated by the brewing sub-system and cool the hot beverage to form a cooled beverage, the cooling subsystem comprising a hot beverage inlet located at a fourth elevation that is less than the third elevation, and cooled beverage outlet that is located a fifth elevation that is less than the fourth elevation. 
     In still another embodiment, the invention may be an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage, the integrated apparatus comprising: a first housing enclosing: a hot water supply subsystem; a brewing subsystem configured to receive and mix hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem with a beverage additive to form a hot beverage; a cooling subsystem configured to receive the hot beverage generated by the brewing sub-system and cool the hot beverage to form a cooled beverage; and a second housing, the first housing positioned atop the second housing, the second housing enclosing: a freezing subsystem configured to freeze the cooled beverage generated by the cooling subsystem to form a frozen beverage and discharge the frozen beverage as a plurality of frozen beverage cubes. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention may be a method of brewing and cooling a beverage comprising: a) heating water in a first portion of a beverage processing flow path to form hot water; b) gravity flowing the hot water generated in the first portion of the beverage processing flow path through a second portion of the beverage processing flow path, and introducing an additive into the hot water while the hot water is flowing through the second portion of the beverage processing flow path, thereby forming a hot beverage; c) gravity flowing the hot beverage from the second portion of the beverage processing flow path into a third portion of the beverage processing flow path, and cooling the hot beverage while in the third portion of the beverage processing flow path, thereby forming a cooled beverage; and d) gravity flowing the cooled beverage from the third portion of the beverage processing flow path into a freezing subsystem. 
     In a further embodiment, the invention may be an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage, the integrated apparatus comprising: a hot water supply subsystem configured to heat water to form hot water; a brewing subsystem configured to receive and mix the hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem with a beverage additive to form a hot beverage; a heat exchanger configured to receive the hot beverage generated by the brewing sub-system and cool the hot beverage to form a cooled beverage; and an air flow generator configured to generate a cooling air flow across the outer surfaces of the heat exchanger. 
     In a still further embodiment, the invention may be an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage, the integrated apparatus comprising: a first housing: a hot water supply subsystem located within the first housing and configured to heat water to form hot water; a brewing subsystem located within the first housing and configured to receive and mix the hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem with a beverage additive to form a hot beverage, the brewing subsystem located below the hot water supply subsystem; and a cooling subsystem located within the first housing and configured to receive the hot beverage generated by the brewing sub-system, cool the hot beverage to form a cooled beverage, and discharge the cooled beverage to a cool beverage reservoir of a freezing subsystem, the cooling subsystem located below the brewing subsystem. 
     In one aspect, the invention may be a method of forming frozen beverage blocks comprising: a) introducing a beverage into a hot beverage reservoir of a beverage receiving subsystem; b) flowing the beverage, solely via gravity, from the hot beverage reservoir of the beverage receiving subsystem into a cooling subsystem and blowing cooling air across the cooling subsystem to cool the beverage as the beverage flows through the cooling subsystem, wherein the beverage is prevented from exiting the cooling subsystem until a temperature of the beverage is measured to be at or below a predetermined lower threshold temperature; c) upon the temperature of the beverage being measured at or below the predetermined lower threshold temperature, allowing the beverage to flow, solely via gravity, from the cooling subsystem into a cool beverage reservoir of a freezing subsystem; and d) forming frozen beverage blocks from the beverage in the freezing subsystem. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be a method of forming frozen beverage blocks comprising: a) introducing a beverage into a hot beverage reservoir of a beverage receiving subsystem; b) flowing the beverage from the hot beverage reservoir of the beverage receiving subsystem into a cooling tube of a cooling subsystem while cooling air is blowing across the cooling tube of the cooling subsystem; c) flowing the beverage from the cooling tube of the cooling subsystem into a chiller tank of the cooling subsystem and holding the beverage in the chiller tank of the cooling subsystem while the cooling air is blowing across the chiller tank of the cooling subsystem; d) measuring a temperature of the beverage in the chiller tank of the cooling subsystem using a temperature sensor that is operably coupled to a controller and preventing the beverage from exiting the chiller tank until the temperature of the beverage is at or below a predetermined lower threshold temperature; e) upon the temperature of the beverage reaching the predetermined lower threshold temperature, the controller opening a valve that is downstream of the chiller tank so that the beverage flows from the chiller tank of the cooling subsystem into a cool beverage reservoir of a freezing subsystem; and f) wherein the freezing subsystem is configured to: (1) freeze the beverage to form a frozen beverage; and (2) discharge the frozen beverage as a plurality of frozen beverage blocks. 
     In a further aspect, the invention may be a method of forming frozen coffee blocks comprising: introducing coffee into a hot beverage reservoir; flowing the coffee from the hot beverage reservoir into and through a cooling tube that defines a serpentine-shaped flow path and blowing air across the cooling tube to cool the coffee while the coffee flows through the cooling tube; flowing the coffee from the cooling tube into a cavity of a chiller tank and blowing air across the chiller tank to cool the coffee while the coffee is held in the cavity of the chiller tank; measuring a temperature of the coffee that is in the cavity of the chiller tank using a temperature sensor that is operably coupled to a controller, wherein the coffee is prevented from exiting the chiller tank until a temperature of the coffee in the cavity of the chiller tank is measured to be at or below a predetermined lower threshold temperature; upon the temperature of the coffee in the cavity of the chiller tank being measured to be at or below the predetermined lower threshold temperature, the controller opening a valve to allow the coffee to flow from the cavity of the chiller tank into a cool beverage reservoir of a freezing subsystem; and wherein the freezing subsystem is configured to freeze the coffee to form frozen coffee blocks. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a fluid circuit schematic of an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated apparatus including a first housing positioned atop a second housing; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially cut-away front perspective view of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 2  illustrating the subsystems and components enclosed within both of the first and second housings; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially cut-away rear perspective view of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 2  illustrating the subsystems and components enclosed within both of the first and second housings; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the first housing of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the first housing of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the first housing of  FIG. 5  with a cover of a water tank in an open position; 
         FIG. 8A  is a close-up view of area VIII of  FIG. 2  illustrating a control panel on the first housing with a mixing apparatus positioned in a brewing chamber; 
         FIG. 8B  is the close-up view of  FIG. 8A  with the mixing apparatus removed from the brewing chamber; 
         FIG. 9  is a partially cut-away view of the first housing of  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partially cut-away view of the first housing of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is the partially cut-away view of  FIG. 9  with a top portion of a heat exchanger removed; 
         FIG. 12  is the partially cut-away view of  FIG. 11  with the top of the heat exchanger removed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the heat exchanger of  FIG. 12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a partially cut-away view of the second housing of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of an integrated apparatus for forming frozen beverage blocks from a beverage in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15A  is a close-up view of area XVA of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a partially cut-away front perspective view of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a partially cut-away rear perspective view of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a cooling subsystem of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 15  including a cooling tube and a chiller tank; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the cooling subsystem of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the cooling subsystem of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a close-up perspective view of portions of a freezing subsystem of the integrated apparatus. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a close-up view of a portion of a freezing subsystem of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 15  during operation; 
         FIG. 24  is a fluid circuit schematic of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 25  is a block diagram of the processing sequence during operation of the integrated apparatus of  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  concurrently, an integrated apparatus for brewing and cooling a beverage (hereinafter “the integrated apparatus”)  100  will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid flow and circuit schematic  500  of the integrated apparatus  100 ,  FIG. 2  illustrates an exterior of the integrated apparatus  100 , and  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate partial cut-away views of the integrated apparatus  100  (with panels of the housing of the integrated apparatus  100  removed) so that the internal components are visible. In general terms, the integrated brewing and cooling apparatus  100  is configured to brew a hot beverage, cool the hot beverage to approximately room temperature thereby forming a cooled beverage, and then freeze the cooled beverage to form a frozen beverage that can be discharged as a plurality of frozen beverage cubes. In certain embodiments, the beverage is coffee, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and it is possible that the beverage may be other types of drinkable liquids, particularly those that are initially brewed in a heated state such as tea, although other drinkable liquids may also be included within the scope of the invention as set forth herein even if not initially brewed in a heated state. Thus, the integrated apparatus  100  described herein brews or otherwise generates a hot beverage from hot water and then creates ice cubes from the hot water automatically and without user input other than to initiate a brewing cycle. 
     The integrated apparatus  100  generally comprises a hot water supply subsystem  110  that is configured to heat water to form hot water, a brewing subsystem  130  that is configured to receive and mix the hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem  110  with a beverage additive (such as, for example without limitation, ground coffee beans, tea leaves, or the like) to form a hot beverage, a cooling subsystem  150  configured to receive the hot beverage generated by the brewing sub-system and cool the hot beverage to form a cooled beverage, and a freezing subsystem  170  configured to freeze the cooled beverage to form a frozen beverage, which may be in the form of frozen beverage cubes that can be added to a cup that is used for drinking. As discussed in more detail below, the freezing subsystem  170  comprises a cool beverage reservoir  171  for storing the cooled beverage discharged from the cooling subsystem  150  and a beverage ice maker  172 . As will be discussed herein, in the exemplified embodiment the entirety of the liquid flow of: (1) the hot water from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130 ; (2) the hot beverage from the brewing subsystem  130  to the cooling subsystem  150 ; and (3) the cooled beverage from the cooling subsystem  150  to the cool beverage reservoir of the freezing subsystem  170  is gravity driven and is achieved without the use of any pumps or pressurization of the liquid to force its flow. Stated another way, the integrated apparatus  100  is free of any pumps that force liquid flow from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the freezing subsystem  170 . Furthermore, this process takes place without user intervention automatically once the brewing process begins. Thus, solely by gravity the liquid moves from the hot water supply subsystem  110  all the way into the freezing subsystem  170  as various valves are opened and closed. There may be one or more pumps used in the freezing subsystem  170 , but upstream of the freezing subsystem  170  no pumps are included in the system or apparatus. 
     The liquid flows from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the freezing subsystem  170  along a primary beverage processing flow path  101  of the integrated apparatus  100 . The entirety of the liquid flow along the primary beverage processing flow path  101  is gravity driven. The hot water supply subsystem  110  is configured to heat water (or another liquid) in a first portion  102  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101  to form the hot water. The brewing subsystem  130  is configured to introduce an additive (i.e., ground coffee beans, tea leaves, or the like) into the hot water in a second portion  103  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101  to form the hot beverage. The cooling subsystem  150  is configured to cool the hot water in a third portion  104  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101  to form the cooled beverage. The hot water generated in the first portion  102  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101  flows solely via gravity into the second portion  103  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101 . The hot beverage generated in the second portion  103  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101  flows solely via gravity into the third portion  103  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101 . The cooled beverage generated in the third portion  103  of the primary beverage processing flow path  101  flows solely via gravity into the freezing subsystem  170 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4  concurrently, in the exemplified embodiment the integrated apparatus  100  comprises a first housing  200  and a second housing  300 . The hot water supply subsystem  110 , the brewing subsystem  130 , and the cooling subsystem  150  are located within the first housing  200  while the freezing subsystem  170  including the cool beverage reservoir  171 , the beverage ice maker  172 , and a freezer compartment  173  is located within the second housing  300 . Thus, all of the components for brewing and cooling the beverage (i.e., coffee) are provided in the first housing  200  while all of the components for freezing the beverage (i.e., coffee) into beverage ice cubes are provided in the second housing  300 . In the exemplified embodiment, the first housing  200  is positioned atop the second housing  300 . The first and second housings  200 ,  300  are distinct from one another although the components held within the first and second housings  200 ,  300  are fluidly coupled together so that the fluid can flow from the cooling subsystem  150  within the first housing  200  into the freezing subsystem  170  within the second housing  300 . 
     Each of the first and second housings  200 ,  300  may be formed from several panels that are formed of a stainless steel material such that each of the first and second housings  200 ,  300  forms a stainless steel cabinet for housing the various subsystems contained therein. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the first and second housings  200 ,  300  may be formed of other materials including other metals or non-metal materials such as plastic. Furthermore, the various dimensions of the first and second housings, including width, length, and height is not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments. For example, in the exemplified embodiment the first housing  200  has a smaller width than the second housing  300 , although the widths of the first and second housings  200 ,  300  (and their lengths) may be the same in other embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9  (and other figures that may be mentioned below to direct attention to a specific feature of the integrated apparatus  100 ), each of the subsystems that is enclosed within the first housing  200  will be described below to provide a better understanding of the various components that are included within each subsystem. To facilitate this description, it is noted that the integrated apparatus  100  includes a controller  199  that is operably coupled to several different sensors and valves within the different subsystems to control operation of the integrated apparatus  100 . In the exemplified embodiment, the controller  199  (and a power source  198  for powering the controller  199  and other electric components of the integrated apparatus  100 ) is located within the first housing  200 , although the controller  199  could be located in the second housing  300  or externally to the first and second housings  200 ,  300  in other embodiments. The power source  198  and the controller  199  are operably coupled to each other and to each electrical component that requires power and/or sends instructions to or receives instructions from the controller  199 . 
     Based on temperature readings from various sensors and inputs from a control panel, the controller  199  is configured to activate and deactivate heating elements and air flow generators and open and close valves as needed to prevent overflow and to ensure operation of the integrated apparatus  100  is maintained in accordance with predetermined operating parameters and procedures. For example, in some embodiments the controller  199  will not allow the water/liquid to flow from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130  until the water is heated to a desired temperature. The function of the controller  199  in carrying out the operation of the integrated apparatus  100  will be described in much more detail below. 
     The controller  199  may in some embodiments comprise a processor and a memory device. The processor and memory device may be separate components or the memory device may be integrated with the processor within the controller  199  as is the case in the exemplified embodiment. Furthermore, the controller  199  may include only one processor and one memory device, or it may include multiple processors and multiple memory devices. 
     The processor of the controller  199  may be any computer or central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device, or circuit configured for executing some or all of the processes described herein, including without limitation: (1) activation and deactivation of heating elements: (2) activation and deactivation of an air flow generator; and (3) opening and closing of valves. 
     The memory device of the controller  199  may include, without limitation, any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory including random access memory (RAM) and various types thereof, read-only memory (ROM) and various types thereof, USB flash memory, and magnetic or optical data storage devices (e.g. internal/external hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic tape CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, optical disk, ZIP™ drive, Blu-ray disk, and others), which may be written to and/or read by the processor which is operably connected thereto. The memory device may store algorithms and/or calculations that can be used (by the processor) to determine when to open/close and activate/deactivate the various electrical components of the system described herein. 
     The hot water supply subsystem  110  generally comprises a water tank  111 , one or more heating elements  112 , a first temperature sensor  113 , a hot water valve  114 , a hot water outlet  115 , a water supply inlet  116 , and a liquid level sensor  119  (which may include float switches  119   a ,  119   b ). Each of the heating elements  112 , the first temperature sensor  113 , the hot water valve  114 , and the liquid level sensor  119  is operably coupled to the controller  199  ( FIG. 1 ) so that the controller  199  can control operation of the heating elements  112  (on/off and varying their temperature) and the hot water valve  114  (open all the way, closed all the way, or something in between) based at least in part on data sent to the controller  199  from the first temperature sensor  113 . The controller  199  can also control the inflow of water through the water supply inlet  116  into the water tank  111  based on data sent to the controller  199  from the liquid level sensor  119 . Specifically, if the liquid level sensor  119  indicates that the level of the liquid in the water tank  111  is low, the controller  199  may automatically cause water to flow into the water tank  111  via the water supply inlet  116  (which is coupled to a water source such as a water supply line). If the liquid level sensor  119  indicates that the level of the liquid in the water tank  111  is high, the controller  199  may stop flow of the liquid into the water tank  111  via the water supply inlet  116 . This can be done automatically without any user intervention or input based on communication between the controller  199  and the various electrical components mentioned. 
     A hot water conduit  117  extends from an outlet opening  118  in a bottom of the tank  111  of the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130  to permit the hot water heated by the hot water supply subsystem  110  to flow into the brewing subsystem  130  as needed. The hot water conduit  117  may be a pipe, a tube, or the like formed of any desired material (plastic such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), copper, lead, stainless steel, or the like) and having any desired cross-section that permits fluid to flow therethrough. In some embodiments, the heating elements  112 , the temperature sensor  113 , the hot water valve  114 , and the hot water outlet  115  of the hot water supply subsystem  110  may be located along the hot water conduit  117 . 
     The water tank  111  has an inner surface  122  that defines an internal cavity  123  that is configured to hold the water  124  or other liquid that is to be heated in the hot water supply subsystem  110 . The system is described herein with water being the liquid that is in the water tank  111  because water is used to form most beverages including coffee and tea. However, it should be appreciated that other liquids can be used, including water-based liquids and liquids that do not include water such as fruit juices and the like, depending on the desired end result. The water tank  111  may be formed of stainless steel in some embodiments although the invention is not to be so limited and the water tank  111  may be formed of other metal materials or even plastics in other embodiments. The water tank  111  may have any desired shape including being circular, square, rectangular, or the like. The water tank  111  may have a constant cross-sectional area along its length or it may have a varying cross-sectional area, so as to be funnel-shaped or the like in some embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the internal cavity  123  of the water tank  111  has a maximum volume of 64 ounces, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the water tank  111  may have a volume that is greater than or less than 64 ounces in other embodiments. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the water tank  111  is designed to hold 64 ounces of water, but in other embodiments it may be designed to hold more or less than 64 ounces of water. The amount of water that can be stored in the water tank  111  dictates the amount of the hot beverage that can be brewed and then turned into beverage ice cubes in a single cycle. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment a single brewing cycle will generate up to 64 ounces of the hot beverage that can be converted into beverage ice cubes. However, the exact amount of water held in the water tank  111  is not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments. 
     The one or more heating elements  112  are configured to heat the water in the water tank  111  to a desired hot threshold temperature. The hot threshold temperature is the preferred temperature of the water before a brewing cycle begins (i.e., before the water is permitted to flow out of the water tank  111  and towards the brewing subsystem  130 ). In some embodiments, the water in the water tank  111  may be heated to be (i.e., the hot threshold temperature may be) between 100 and 210° F., more specifically between 110 and 190° F., still more specifically between 120 and 180° F., still more specifically between 130 and 170° F., even more specifically between 140 and 160° F., and more specifically approximately 150° F. In some embodiments the hot threshold temperature may be between 190 and 210° F., as this is the temperature at which coffee dissolves most readily. However, because the integrated apparatus  100  is making coffee ice cubes in some embodiments and the purpose is to reduce dilution in an iced coffee/beverage product rather than making an optimal cup of coffee, temperatures below the 190-210° F. range may be used effectively. Of course, the exact temperature may be outside of these ranges depending on the optimal temperature for a liquid that is used to brew different beverages. For example, the optimal temperature for water used to brew tea and coffee might be different, and thus the water in the water tank  111  may be heated to the specifically optimal temperature depending on the particular beverage that it is going to be used to make. 
     In the embodiment exemplified in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the heating elements  112  are coupled directly to the outer surface of the water tank  111 .  FIG. 1  illustrates this generically, and  FIG. 9  illustrates this in accordance with one embodiment whereby the heating elements  112  each wrap circumferentially around the outer surface of the water tank  111  in a spaced apart manner. Of course, the invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  and the heating elements  112  may take on different shapes, sizes, configurations, and the like. For example, instead of elongated heating elements  112  that wrap around the water tank  111  as shown in  FIG. 9 , the heating elements  112  may be circular or polygonal shaped elements that are arranged around the outer surface of the water tank  111  in a spaced apart manner, or they may be elongated and extend vertically along the water tank  111 , or they may include a single sheet-like heating element that wraps around the outer surface of the water tank  111 . Thus, it should be appreciated that there are many variations for the structural embodiment of the heating elements  112  and it is merely desired that they are capable of heating the water in the water tank  111  to the hot threshold temperature noted herein above irrespective of their specific structural configuration. 
     Although the heating elements  112  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 9  as being coupled directly to the outer surface of the water tank  111 , the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Specifically, in other embodiments the heating elements  112  may be coupled to the inner surface of the water tank  111  or they may be suspended within the interior of the water tank  111  without being coupled directly to the inner surface of the water tank  111 . Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment the heating elements  112  may be located along the hot water conduit  117 . In such embodiment, the heating element  112  may be a water heating element (700 Watt, for example) that is positioned within the flow path of the water as it exits the water tank  111  and flows towards the brewing subsystem  130 . In such embodiment, the water will be heated after it leaves the water tank  111  rather than while it is within the water tank  111 . Thus, the exact type and positioning of the heating elements  112  is not limiting of the invention in all embodiments so long as the heating elements  112  are configured to heat the water to a desired temperature before the water enters the brewing subsystem  150 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the heating elements  112  will heat the water tank  111 , which will in turn heat the water contained within the water tank  111 . Of course, in other embodiments as mentioned herein, the heating elements  112  may heat the water while it is in the water tank  111  or the heating elements  112  may heat the water as or after it leaves the water tank  111 , such as by being in-line heaters. In the exemplified embodiment, the heating elements  112  may be any type of heating element that can readily be secured to the outer surface of the water tank  111  while permitting the heating elements  112  to generate heat and heat the water in the water tank  111 . For example, in one particular embodiment the heating elements  112  may be flexible silicone heat sheets that include an adhesive on one side thereof to permit the heating elements  112  to be adhesively secured to the outer surface of the water tank  111 . Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and the heating elements  112  may be any type of heating element in other embodiments including resistive heating elements, heating coils, metal heating elements, ceramic heating elements, polymer PTC heating elements, composite heating elements, or combinations thereof. Thus, the invention is not to be particularly limited by the type of heating elements used unless expressly recited as such in the claims. Rather, in certain embodiments the heating elements  112  may be any type of element that is configured to generate heat. 
     As noted above, the heating elements  112  are operably coupled to the controller  199 , and thus the controller  199  may control operation of the heating elements  112  by activating the heating elements  112  when heat is required to heat the water in the water tank  111  and deactivating the heating elements  112  when heat is no longer required. In some embodiments, so long as a sufficient amount of the water is located in the water tank  111  (as determined by the liquid level sensor  119 ), the heating elements  112  will be activated. In such an embodiment, the water in the water tank  111  will always be heated to the hot threshold temperature so that upon user activation of a brewing cycle by sending a brewing activation signal to the controller  199 , the water will be ready to be sent to the brewing subsystem  130  without having to wait to heat the water. In other embodiments, in order to conserve energy the heating elements  112  may only be activated after a brewing activation signal is transmitted to the controller  199  (such as by the user pressing a button or the like). In such alternative embodiment, the water in the water tank  111  will remain unheated until it is needed to be heated for a brewing cycle. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the first temperature sensor  113  is operably coupled to the controller  199  and positioned in such a manner so that it can be configured to sense the temperature of the water within the water tank  111  (or at some point upstream of the brewing subsystem  130 ). In  FIG. 1 , the first temperature sensor  113  is illustrated being located along the hot water conduit  117  adjacent to the outlet opening  118  in the tank  117 . However, the invention is not to be so limited and the first temperature sensor  113  may be located within the interior of the tank  111  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  so as to be in direct contact with the water/liquid held within the tank  111  to ensure accurate temperature readings of the water in the tank  111  are received by the first temperature sensor. Furthermore, the first temperature sensor  113  may be positioned at any other location so long as it is capable of detecting/sensing the temperature of the water held in the water tank  111 . Thus, the exact positioning of the first temperature sensor  113  is not to be limiting of the invention other than that it must be configured to detect the temperature of the water held in the water tank  111  or the water in the hot water supply subsystem  110  before it passes to the brewing subsystem  130 . 
     The hot water valve  114  is located downstream of the water tank  111  and upstream of the brewing subsystem  130  to control flow of the water from the water tank  111  to the brewing subsystem  130 . Specifically, when the hot water valve  114  is fully closed, no water will flow from the water tank  111  to the brewing subsystem  130 . When the hot water valve  114  is partially or fully open, water will flow, via gravity as described above, from the water tank  111  to the brewing subsystem  130 . Thus, the hot water valve  114  is the component that controls the start/initiation of a brewing cycle because once the water passes the hot water valve  144  it will enter directly into the brewing subsystem  130 . In the exemplified embodiment, the hot water valve  114  is operably coupled to the controller  199  so that the controller  199  can control operation (i.e., opening and closing) of the hot water valve  114 . In some embodiments, the controller  199  may automatically open the valve upon a sufficient amount of water being held in the water tank  111  and heated to the hot threshold temperature. In other embodiments, some user input on a control panel (i.e., initiating a brewing activation signal) may be required to cause the controller  199  to open the hot water valve  114  as discussed herein below with reference in part to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the hot water valve  114  is an electric valve that is operably coupled to the controller  199 . The hot water valve  114  may be any type of valve that can prevent and permit flow of the water from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130  as desired. In one embodiment, the hot water valve  114  (and all other valves described herein) is a solenoid valve. However, the exact type of valve used as the hot water valve  114  is not to be limiting of the present invention so long as the valve is capable of altering between closed and open positions as described herein. 
     The hot water outlet  115  is the outlet from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130 . The hot water outlet  115  is downstream of the hot water valve  114 . Furthermore, the hot water outlet  115  is located at a first elevation relative to a horizontal or approximately horizontal surface upon which the integrated apparatus  100  is positioned. All uses of the term elevation herein are relative to the same horizontal or approximately horizontal surface upon which the integrated apparatus  100  is positioned. Thus, if one elevation is described as being less than another elevation, it means the one elevation is closer to the horizontal surface on which the integrated apparatus  100  is positioned than the other elevation. Thought of another way, the elevation is the vertical distance of one component from the floor on which the integrated apparatus  100  is positioned. 
     The water supply inlet  116  may be used to automatically add water to the water tank  111  from a water supply line/water source. Specifically, the water supply inlet  116  may be coupled to a conduit that connects directly to a water supply, such as a water supply line in a home or building. The water supply inlet  116  may include a water supply valve  120  to control the flow of water from the water supply to the water tank  111  via the water supply inlet  116 . When the water supply valve  120  is open, water can flow from the water supply to the water tank  111 . When the water supply valve  120  is closed, water cannot flow from the water supply to the water tank  111 . The water supply valve  120  may be operably coupled to the controller  199  so that opening and closing of the water supply valve  120  may be automated by the controller  199 . Alternatively, the water supply valve  120  may be a manual valve that can be opened and closed manually by a user to flow water into and prevent flow of water into the water tank  111  from the water supply line.  FIG. 6  illustrates the location where the water supply inlet  116  enters into the first housing  200  and  FIG. 7  illustrates the location where the water supply inlet  116  enters into the internal cavity  123  of the water tank  111 . 
     In addition to or as an alternative to the water supply inlet  116 , water may be added to the water tank  111  by simply pouring the water into the water tank  111  through an opening in its top end. Specifically, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5-7 , the first housing  200  includes a cover  201  that is adjustable between a closed position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6  and an open position as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . When in the open position, an opening  202  in the top end of the water tank  111  is exposed, thus permitting a user to pour water into the internal cavity  123  of the water tank  111  through the opening  202 . Thus, water may be added to the water tank  111  either automatically through the water supply inlet  116  or manually through the opening  202  in the top end of the water tank  111 . 
     Finally, the hot water supply subsystem  110  comprises the liquid level sensor  119 . The liquid level sensor  119  is operably coupled to the controller  199  to send signals to the controller  199  regarding the level of the water/liquid within the water tank  111 . In  FIG. 1 , the liquid level sensor  119  is illustrated as a singular component. However, in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , for example, the liquid level sensor  119  is illustrated comprising an empty float switch  119   a  located near the bottom of the internal cavity of the water tank  111  and a full float switch  119   b  located near the top of the internal cavity of the water tank  111 . The invention is not limited to whether a single liquid level sensor or an empty and full float switch is used to monitor the level of the water/liquid within the water tank  111 . 
     The controller  199  may control the filling of the water tank  111  via the water supply inlet  116  automatically based on information sent to the controller  199  from the liquid level sensor  119 . Specifically, if the liquid level sensor  119  sends data indicating that the water tank  111  is empty, the controller  199  may automatically activate the water supply inlet  116  by opening the water supply valve  120  to permit water to flow into the water tank  111  until the liquid level sensor  119  sends a signal to the controller  199  indicating that the water tank  111  is full. At that time, the controller  199  will close the water supply valve  120  so that no more water can enter therein. In this manner, the integrated apparatus  100  may automatically ensure that the water tank  111  is always full. This can reduce user time requirements in operation of the integrated apparatus  100  and in some instances where the heating elements  112  are always operational, ensure that hot water is constantly available for brewing. Furthermore, if the water tank  111  does overflow for any reason (either a user manually pouring too much water into the water tank  111  or due to the controller  199  or the water supply valve  120  not functioning properly), the system includes an overflow conduit  121  that extends from an opening in a sidewall of the water tank  111  to a drain (such as a floor drain or a sink drain or the like) so that the integrated apparatus  100  will not completely overflow. Rather, excess water will be drained from the water tank  111  through the overflow conduit  121  rather than flowing out through the opening  202  in the top end of the water tank  111 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 9  concurrently, the brewing subsystem  130  will be described. As described above, the brewing subsystem  130  receives the hot water generated by the hot water supply subsystem  110  and mixes it with a beverage additive to form a hot beverage. In that regard, the brewing subsystem  130  includes a hot water inlet  131  located at a second elevation relative to the horizontal surface on which the integrated apparatus  100  is positioned and a hot beverage outlet  132  located at a third elevation relative to the horizontal surface. The hot water inlet  131  is fluidly coupled to the hot water outlet  115  of the hot water supply subsystem  110  to permit the hot water to flow from the hot water supply subsystem  110  into the brewing subsystem  130 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the second elevation of the hot water inlet  131  of the brewing subsystem  130  is less than the first elevation of the hot water outlet  115  of the hot water supply subsystem  110 . Furthermore, the third elevation of the hot beverage outlet  132  of the brewing subsystem  130  is less than the second elevation of the hot water inlet  131  of the brewing subsystem  130 . These changes in elevations facilitate the gravity driven flow of the water/liquid throughout the brewing and cooling process as described herein. 
     The brewing subsystem  130  further comprises a dispenser  144  comprising one or more dispensing nozzles and a mixing apparatus  133 . The mixing apparatus  133  is positioned to receive the hot water from the hot water inlet  131  and convert it into a hot beverage. Thus, the mixing apparatus  133  is downstream of the hot water inlet  131  and the hot water outlet  132  is downstream of the mixing apparatus  133 . Furthermore, the dispenser  144  is fluidly coupled to the hot water inlet  131  so that the hot water passes from the hot water inlet  131  to the dispenser  144  where the hot water is dispensed into the mixing apparatus  133  via the one or more dispensing nozzles. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispenser  144  is a sprinkler head comprising a plurality of dispensing nozzles through which the hot water may flow into the mixing apparatus  133 . Thus, the dispenser  144  may spray the hot water over a larger surface area to entirely cover an additive contained within the mixing apparatus  133  as described below. However, in other embodiments the dispenser  144  may simply comprise a single opening/nozzle through which the hot water may flow from the dispenser  144  into the mixing apparatus  133 . 
     The mixing apparatus  133  may be a basket or other container having an inner surface  136  that defines an interior cavity  137  that is generally configured to hold a filter  134  and a bed of additives  135  therein. For example, the filter  134  may be a coffee-type filter made of disposable paper that is positioned within the interior cavity  137  of the mixing apparatus  133  and the bed of additives  135  may be ground coffee beans that are placed atop of the filter  134 . Of course, the bed of additives  135  may be other than coffee beans in other embodiments, such as being tea leaves or the like. Varying the substance of the bed of additives  135  will modify/change the beverage that is formed as the end product. In any case, the filter  134  is positioned within the mixing apparatus  133  so that it may trap the coffee grounds while permitting the liquid coffee (i.e., hot beverage) formed by passing the hot water through the mixing apparatus  133  to flow through. The mixing apparatus  133  comprises an opening  138  in its bottom surface so that the hot water that flows into the brewing subsystem  130  from the hot water supply subsystem  110  can flow into the interior cavity  137 , contact and pass through the bed of additives  135  and the filter  134 , and pass through the opening  138  as the hot beverage towards the hot beverage outlet  132 . 
     Once the hot beverage passes through the opening  138  in the mixing apparatus  13 , the hot beverage will flow automatically into the cooling subsystem  150 . Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment there are no valves or other devices to prevent flow of the hot beverage from the mixing apparatus  133  to the cooling subsystem  150 . Rather, as soon as the hot beverage is formed in the brewing subsystem  130 , the hot beverage flows directly into the cooling subsystem  150  so that the cooling process may begin. Of course, in alternative embodiments a valve may be added to the system between the brewing subsystem  130  and the cooling subsystem  150  to prevent overflow of the cooling subsystem  150  in case it already has a beverage being cooled therein. In such embodiments, the hot beverage may flow into a holding tank between the brewing subsystem  130  and the cooling subsystem  150  until the cooling subsystem  150  is empty and has sufficient available volume to accept the newly brewed hot beverage. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, adding a valve and/or holding tank between the brewing subsystem  130  and the cooling subsystem  150  is not needed because the hot water will not be released from the water tank  111  if there is a beverage being cooled in the cooling subsystem  150 . Specifically, because in the exemplified embodiment once the hot water leaves the hot water supply subsystem  110  it automatically travels via gravity through the brewing subsystem  130  and to the cooling subsystem  150  without any valves to prevent or slow this flow, it may be necessary to ensure that the cooling subsystem  150  is empty before the hot water  150  is released from the water tank  111  and a brewing cycle begins. In this regard, as will be discussed more fully below, the cooling subsystem  150  may include a liquid level sensor that is operably coupled to the controller  199  so that if the liquid level sensor detects a particular amount of the beverage in the cooling subsystem  150 , it will not open the hot water valve  114 , thereby preventing a new brewing cycle from starting. In such an embodiment, even if a user tries to activate a brewing cycle, if there is an amount of the hot beverage in the cooling subsystem  150 , the controller  199  will not allow the brewing cycle to begin in order to prevent overflow of the cooling subsystem  150 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 8A, and 8B , the brewing subsystem  130  further comprises a brewing chamber  139  in which the mixing apparatus  133  is removably positioned. The first housing  200  comprises a window  203  in a first upstanding wall  204  of the housing  200  that forms a passageway into the brewing chamber  139 . Specifically, in  FIG. 8A  the mixing apparatus  133  is illustrated positioned within the brewing chamber  139  and in  FIG. 8B  the mixing apparatus  133  is illustrated removed from the brewing chamber  139 . In this regard, the brewing chamber  139  comprises a pair of side rails  140  on which a flange  141  of the mixing apparatus  133  may be slid for insertion and removal of the mixing apparatus  133  from the brewing chamber  139 . The mixing apparatus  133  may include a handle  142  to facilitate ready gripping by a user during the insertion and removal procedure. The mixing apparatus  133  must be removed from the brewing chamber  139  between brewing cycles so that a new filter  134  and a fresh amount of the additive  135  can be inserted into the interior cavity  137  of the mixing apparatus  133  in preparation for a subsequent brewing cycle. The handle  142  of the mixing apparatus  133  and the window  203  in the first housing  200  make the process of cleaning and refilling the mixing apparatus  133  easy to accomplish. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2, 5, 8A, and 8B , there is a control panel  250  on the first upstanding wall  204  of the first housing  200  that includes indicators  251  and an actuator  252 . The indicators include an “add water” indicator, a “low coffee” indicator, a “service” indicator, and a “working” indicator. Each of the indicators has a light associated with it that can be lit up when the condition of that indicator is met. For example, when the water level in the water tank  111  is low as determined by the liquid level sensor  119 , the “add water” indicator may be lit. This may be important where the water supply inlet  116  is not hooked up to a water supply and thus a user must manually add water into the water tank  111 . When the machine requires service, the “service” indicator may be lit. When the machine is either brewing a beverage in the brewing subsystem  130  or cooling a beverage in the cooling subsystem  150 , the “working” indicator may be lit. And finally, when the amount of brewed coffee is detected at a low level (determined based on the amount of the brewed and subsequently cooled coffee that is located in a cool beverage reservoir of the freezing subsystem  170  discussed in more detail below), the “low coffee” indicator may be lit, indicating to a user that more coffee should be brewed. The indicators may also include an “ice cube size” indicator and an “ice chest full” indicator. The “ice cube size” indicator may enable a user to change the size of the beverage ice cubes that are made by the integrated apparatus  100  as discussed more fully below. The “ice chest full” indicator may indicate to a user that no additional beverage ice cubes should be made because there is insufficient space to support them in the ice chest of freezer compartment  173 . Other indicators can be included on the control panel  250  to enhance the user experience of the integrated apparatus  100 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the actuator  252  is a button that can be pressed by a user to start a brewing cycle. Of course, the actuator  252  may be a toggle switch, a slide switch, or any other type of actuation mechanism as may be desired. A user actuating the actuator  252  may cause one of several things to happen, depending on specific system operation parameters. In some embodiments, pressing the actuator button  252  may activate the heating elements  112  to begin generating heat so that they can heat up the water within the water tank  111 . In such an embodiment, upon the water in the water tank  111  being detected at the hot threshold temperature, the controller  199  may automatically cause the hot water valve  114  to open to send the hot water to the brewing subsystem  130 . In other embodiments, the heating elements  113  may always be operating to heat the water to the hot threshold temperature when there is a sufficient amount of water detected in the water tank  111 . In such an embodiment, upon pressing the actuator button  252  the controller  199  may immediately open the hot water valve  114  to start the brewing process because the water has already been heated (after checking with the first temperature sensor to ensure that the water has reached the hot threshold temperature). 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the cooling subsystem  150  will be described in greater detail. The cooling subsystem  150  generally comprises a hot beverage inlet  151 , a heat exchanger  160 , an air flow generator  152 , a second temperature sensor  153 , a cooled beverage valve  154 , and a cooled beverage outlet  155 . The cooling subsystem  150  may also include a liquid level sensor in some embodiments. The hot beverage inlet  151  receives the hot beverage from the brewing subsystem  130  and the cooled beverage outlet  155  permits the beverage, once cooled by the heat exchanger  160 , to pass into the freezer subsystem  170 . Thus, the hot beverage stays within the heat exchanger  160  until it is cooled to a cool threshold temperature, at which time it may be sent to the cool beverage reservoir  171  of the freezer subsystem  170 . The hot beverage inlet  151  is located at a fourth elevation that is less than the third elevation of the hot beverage outlet  132  of the brewing subsystem  130 . The cooled beverage outlet  155  is located at a fifth elevation that is less than the fourth elevation of the hot beverage inlet  151 . Again, this permits the gravity flow of the liquid throughout the brewing and cooling process as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9, 12, and 13 , the heat exchanger  160  will be described in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplified embodiment, the heat exchanger  160  comprises a hot beverage cooling tank  161  and a plurality of heat dissipating elements  166  coupled to and extending from the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . The hot beverage cooling tank  161  comprises a floor  162  and a sidewall  163  extending upwardly from the floor  162 . The floor  162  and the sidewall  163  collectively define a cavity or reservoir  169 , which may also be referred to herein as a heat exchange chamber of the heat exchanger  160 . In the exemplified embodiment, the cavity  169  has a volume of approximately 64 ounces so that all of the beverage brewed in a single cycle may pass through the brewing subsystem  130  and into the cooling subsystem  150  where it may be stored while it cools. Furthermore, it may be desirable to maximize the surface area of the floor  162  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  to shorten the cooling time. Specifically, the shallower the hot beverage is while contained within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161 , the quicker it will cool. Thus, the length and width dimensions of the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  may be maximized within the dimensions of the first housing  200  while keeping the height of the sidewalls  162  and the depth of the cavity  169  to a minimum while still enabling it to hold the preferred amount of the beverage (i.e., 64 ounces or the like). In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the maximum depth of the hot beverage within the cavity  169  to be 1-2 inches, or more specifically 1-1.5 inches. Thus, the maximum height of the sidewall  163  as measured from the floor  162  to the first surface  165   a  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  may be 1-2 inches, or 1-1.5 inches. 
     In one embodiment, the hot beverage cooling tank  161  may have a length L, a width W, and a height H. The dimensions of the length L, width W and height H should be sufficient to equal a volume of at least 64 ounces while keeping the height H to a minimum. For example, in one embodiment the height H may be 1.5 inches, and the length L multiplied by the width W may be between 80 inches squared and 90 inches squared. Thus, in one embodiment the area of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  may be between 80 and 90 inches squared and the height H may be approximately 1.5 inches squared. Stated another way, in some embodiments the cavity  169  of the beverage cooling tank  161  may have a volume of between 115 and 130 inches cubed. The exact value of the length L, the width W, and the height H may be modified depending on the shape of the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . Furthermore, the dimensions provided herein are not intended to be limiting of the present invention unless expressly recited in the claims. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  is square or rectangular-shaped with rounded corners. Utilizing rounded corners may be desirable to limit the amount of bacteria that may become deposited and remain within the cavity  169 . Specifically, sharp corners are more prone to retaining bacteria and bacteria may be more difficult to remove from such sharp corners. Thus, rounding the corners is desirable in some embodiments to maintain the beverage cooling tank  161  in a hygienic manner. In the exemplified embodiment the top end of the beverage cooling tank  161  is closed by a lid that has some of the heat dissipating elements  166  extending therefrom. However, in other embodiments the top end of the beverage cooling tank  161  may be left open, which may speed up the cooling process. 
     Furthermore, the hot beverage cooling tank  161  comprises an outlet  164  in the floor  162  to permit the beverage, once cooled to the cool threshold temperature, to flow out of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  via the cooled beverage outlet  155 . In certain embodiments, the floor  162  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  may be angled towards the outlet  164  so that the liquid contained within the beverage cooling tank  161  flows automatically, via gravity, through the outlet  164  when the cooled beverage valve  154  is opened as discussed below. In such embodiments, the outlet  164  will be located at a lower elevation than the remainder of the floor  162  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  to encourage flow of the cooled beverage through the outlet  164  at the appropriate time. Alternatively, the entire hot beverage cooling tank  161  may be angled when installed to permit the gravity flow of the liquid through the outlet  164  when the cooled beverage valve  154  is opened. 
     In certain embodiments, the hot beverage cooling tank  161  may be formed of aluminum, although the invention is not to be so limited and other thermally conductive materials may be used, including copper, brass, steel, bronze, or the like. 
     The hot beverage cooling tank  161  comprises a first surface  165   a  and a second surface  165   b  that is opposite the first surface  165   a . In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of heat dissipating elements  166  comprises a first set of fins  167  located on the first surface  165   a  (which may be formed by a lid or cover as described above) of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  and a second set of fins  168  located on the second surface  165   b  of the hot beverage cooling tank  160 . The plurality of heat dissipating elements  166  increase the surface area of the heat exchanger  160 , thereby more effectively removing heat from the hot beverage in the hot beverage cooling tank  161  for a shorter cooling time. The heat exchanger  160  may also include vent openings  196  in the top portion thereof to enable venting of the cavity  169 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the heat exchanger  160  with the top portion removed so that the cavity  169  is exposed. Specifically, in this embodiment the heat exchanger  160  includes internal fins  197  located within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . Such internal fins  197  may further reduce the cooling time. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the integrated apparatus  100  will be further described. As noted above, the hot beverage inlet  151  receives the hot beverage discharged from the brewing subsystem  130  and flows the hot beverage into the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  of the heat exchanger  160 . It should be appreciated that during operation, the hot beverage simply remains stationary within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  as it cools and until it reaches a predetermined reduced temperature. For example, the hot beverage may enter the hot beverage cooling tank  161  at a temperature of approximately 150° F. and it may stay in the hot beverage cooling tank  161  until it reaches a cool threshold temperature. The cool threshold temperature may be between 60 and 90° F., more specifically between 70 and 80° F., and still more specifically approximately between 70 and 75° F. The hot beverage is not moving within the hot beverage cooing tank  161  during cooling, but rather remains stationary. Thus, the hot and subsequently cooled beverage simply stays within the hot beverage cooling tank  161  until it reaches the cool threshold temperature. In this way, the hot beverage cooling tank  161  acts as a holding chamber for holding the beverage while it cools. Although the beverage is stationary within the hot beverage cooling tank  161 , there is an active air stream  159  being flowed across the heat exchanger  160  via the air flow generator  152  to assist in cooling the hot beverage. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the air flow generator  152  comprises two fans that are positioned in a side-by-side arrangement so as to generate the air flow stream  159  across the heat exchanger  160 . Thus, the air flow generator  152  is positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger  160  with its air blowing side facing the heat exchanger  160 . In the exemplified embodiment, the two fans of the air flow generator  152  are positioned on the same side of the heat exchanger  160 . However, in other embodiments the two fans may be positioned on opposite or adjacent sides of the heat exchanger  160 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1  and in  FIGS. 3 and 4  when viewed together, the air flow generator  152  and the heat exchanger  160  are located within the first housing  200  in alignment with one or more inlet vents  205  formed in the first upstanding wall  204  of the first housing  200  and one or more outlet vents  206  in a second upstanding wall  207  of the first housing  200 . The inlet and outlet vents  205 ,  206  are openings or holes formed into the first and second upstanding walls  204 ,  207  that permit air to enter into and leave the internal space within the first housing  200 . The inlet and outlet vents  205 ,  206  may have any desired shape, configuration, and size and it can be different than that which is shown in the drawings in some embodiments. During operation the air flow generator  152  pulls ambient air through the one or more inlet vents  205  and generates the air flow stream  159  therefrom. The air flow stream  159  flows across the heat exchanger  160  and then out through the outlet vents  206 . Although two fans are illustrated in the exemplified embodiment, the air flow generator  152  may include only one fan or more than two fans in other embodiments. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the number of fans that make up the air flow generator  152 , but rather in some embodiments merely that the integrated apparatus  100  includes the air flow generator  152  to speed up the beverage cooling process that takes place in the heat exchanger  160 . 
     It should be appreciated that the processes taking place in the hot water supply subsystem  110  and the brewing subsystem  130  generate heat, and thus by placing the cooling subsystem  150  below the hot water supply subsystem  110  and the brewing subsystem  130 , the heat generated in the hot water supply subsystem  110  and the brewing subsystem  130  does not affect the cooling of the hot beverage in the cooling subsystem  150 . Rather, because heat rises, the heat generated in the hot water supply subsystem  110  and the brewing subsystem  130  remains above the heat exchanger  160 . Furthermore, the heat exchanger  160  is positioned adjacent to the second housing  300 , which houses the components of the freezing subsystem  170 . Thus, the interior of the second housing  300  is a cold or chilled environment. By placing the heat exchanger  160  adjacent to the second housing  300 , the processing time for cooling the beverage within the cooling subsystem  150  may be further reduced as the relatively cool temperature (below ambient and possibly below freezing) of the air within the second housing  300  may contact the heat exchanger  160 . 
     As set forth herein, the air flow generator  152  is configured to blow ambient, room temperature air (i.e., the air flow stream  159 ) across the heat exchanger  160  to assist in the cooling of the hot beverage within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . This process may take ten or more minutes, or fifteen or more minutes, or twenty or more minutes in various embodiments. However, it may be desirable to continue cooling the hot beverage within the hot beverage cooling tank  161  until it reaches the cool threshold temperature, which as noted above may be between 70° F. and 75° F. in some embodiments. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the second temperature sensor  153  monitors the temperature of the hot beverage within the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . In  FIG. 1 , the second temperature sensor  153  is illustrated being located outside of the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . However, the second temperature sensor  153  may alternatively be located within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  to ensure an accurate temperature reading of the hot beverage. The second temperature sensor  153  is operably coupled to the controller  199  so that the controller can control operation of the cooled beverage valve  154  based on the temperature readings transmitted from the second temperature sensor  153 . 
     Specifically, the cooled beverage valve  154  is located adjacent to the outlet  164  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  and is adjustable between a closed state that prevents the beverage within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  from exiting and an open state the permits the beverage within the cavity  169  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161  to pass into the freezing subsystem  170 . In operation, the controller  199  will maintain the cooled beverage valve  154  in the closed state until the second temperature sensor  153  sends a signal to the controller  199  indicating that the beverage in the hot beverage cooling tank  161  has reached the cool threshold temperature, such as 70-75° F. as noted above. Upon the temperature sensor  153  signaling to the controller  199  that the temperature of the beverage in the hot beverage cooling tank  161  has reached the cool threshold temperature, the controller  199  will open the cooled beverage valve  154 , thereby permitting the cooled beverage to flow from the cooling subsystem  150  to a cool beverage reservoir  171  of the freezing subsystem  170 . The cooled beverage valve  154  will then bias back into the closed state (by instruction from the controller  199 ) either automatically upon the hot beverage cooling tank  161  being empty of the cooled beverage or after a user activates a new brewing cycle (once the user presses the brewing button to activate a new brewing cycle, this may initiate the closing of the cooled beverage valve  154  if it is not already closed). 
     In certain embodiments, the opening of the cooled beverage valve  154  may occur automatically by the controller  199  based on communications between the controller  199  and the cooled beverage valve  154  and the temperature sensor  153 . Specifically, in some embodiments immediately upon the temperature sensor  153  detecting that the temperature of the beverage within the hot beverage cooling tank  161  has reached the cool threshold temperature, the temperature sensor  153  will transmit this data to the controller  199 . In response, the controller  199  may automatically open the cooled beverage valve  154 . Due to gravity as discussed herein (and the angle of the floor  162  of the hot beverage cooling tank  161 ), upon the cooled beverage valve  154  being opened, the cooled beverage will flow automatically into the cool beverage reservoir  171  of the freezing subsystem  170 . The cool threshold temperature may be pre-set at the factory, and/or it may be set by an end user. The cool threshold temperature may in some embodiments be modifiable to enhance and optimize system operation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 9 and 14 , the freezing subsystem  170  will be described. As noted above, the freezing subsystem  170  is enclosed within the second housing  300  rather than being within the first housing  200 . In some embodiments, the freezing subsystem  170  may be a standard commercial grade ice cube maker and it may be retrofit to work in conjunction with the first housing  200  to make beverage ice cubes instead of water ice cubes. As noted above, the freezing subsystem  170  comprises the cool beverage reservoir  171 , the beverage ice maker  172 , and the freezer compartment  173 . 
     Once the cooled beverage valve  154  is opened and the cooled beverage leaves the cooling subsystem  150 , the cooled beverage flows into the cool beverage reservoir  171  of the freezing subsystem  170 . The cool beverage reservoir  171  comprises a floor  174  and sidewalls  175  extending upwardly from the floor  174  to thereby define the reservoir for holding the cool beverage. Furthermore, an outlet  176  is formed into the floor  174  of the cool beverage reservoir  171  to permit the cool beverage to flow from the cool beverage reservoir  171  to the beverage ice maker  172 . Finally, a liquid level sensor  177  is placed within the cool beverage reservoir  171  to detect the amount of the cooled beverage is in in the cool beverage reservoir  171 . The liquid level sensor  177  is operably coupled to the controller  199  to transmit data regarding the amount of the cooled beverage that is in the cool beverage reservoir  171 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the outlet  175  of the cool beverage reservoir  171  may always be open such that the cooled beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  171  will always flow out through the outlet  175  towards the beverage ice maker  172 . In other embodiments, the integrated apparatus  100  may include an ice maker valve downstream of the cool beverage reservoir  171  and upstream of the beverage ice maker  172  to control when the cooled beverage can flow from the cool beverage reservoir  171  to the beverage ice maker  172 . In some embodiments, opening and closing of the ice maker valve may be dictated by the data transmitted to the controller  199  from the liquid level sensor  177 . Specifically, the controller  199  may keep the ice maker valve closed until a predetermined amount of the cooled beverage is located within the cool beverage reservoir  171 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, there is no ice maker valve included. Rather, the controller  199  may control the opening and closing of the cooled beverage valve  154  based on the data transmitted from the liquid level sensor  177  to the controller  199 . Specifically, in some embodiments the controller  199  may only open the cooled beverage valve  154  when the temperature sensor  153  indicates that the cool temperature threshold has been reached and the liquid level sensor  177  indicates that the cool beverage reservoir  171  is sufficiently empty that it can hold all of the cooled beverage that is currently in the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . This might be used to ensure overflow of the cool beverage reservoir  171  is prevented. Of course, in other embodiments the liquid level sensor  177  may play no role in the opening and closing of the cooled beverage valve  154  and this may be accomplished solely based on the cool threshold temperature being reached as discussed herein above. 
     In still other embodiments, the liquid level sensor  177  may indicate to the controller  199  that the cool beverage reservoir  171  is empty so that the controller  199  can cause the “low coffee” indicator light on the control panel  250  to illuminate. In some embodiments, this may be the only purpose of the liquid level sensor  177  and it may play no role in the opening and closing of the relevant valves as discussed herein. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage ice maker  172  comprises an evaporator plate that comprises a vertically mounted metal plate attached to a grid. The system may include refrigerant lines or the like to remove heat from the beverage ice maker  172  to lower its temperature to below freezing. The beverage ice maker  172  forms a grid with a plurality of cube openings, each of which will form a single ice cube during the ice making process described herein below. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, there is a closed fluid flow circuit formed between the cool beverage reservoir  171 , the beverage ice maker  172 , and an excess beverage trough  178  positioned downstream of the beverage ice maker  172 . Specifically, to form ice from the cooled beverage, the cooled beverage flows from the cool beverage reservoir  171  out of the outlet  174  and then cascades over the beverage ice maker  172  or evaporator. As the cooled beverage cascades over the beverage ice maker  172 , some of the cooled beverage freezes into ice. The cooled beverage that freezes into ice will adhere to the grid of the beverage ice maker  172  within one of the cube openings. However, not all of the cooled beverage will freeze into ice in a single pass over the beverage ice maker  172 . The cooled beverage that does not freeze becomes excess beverage that is caught in the excess beverage trough  178 . The system includes a pump  179  to pump the excess beverage from the excess beverage trough  178  back into the cool beverage reservoir  171 , where the excess beverage mixes with any cooled beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  171  and does another pass over the beverage ice maker  172 . This process continues until a sufficient amount of the cooled and excess beverage has frozen to make beverage ice cubes  180  of a desired size. The beverage ice cubes  180  are formed by the beverage freezing layer by layer as it cascades over the beverage ice maker  172 . Once the beverage ice cubes  180  are formed to a sufficient or desired size, the beverage ice maker or evaporator plate  172  is heated to slightly melt the beverage ice cubes  180  until they fall, by gravity, into the freezer compartment  173  (see  FIG. 1 ) where they are accessible to a user as described below. The freezing subsystem  170  may also include a mechanical component to push the beverage ice cubes away from the beverage ice maker or evaporator  172  to speed up this process rather than waiting for gravity to take the beverage ice cubes from the beverage ice maker  172  to the freezer compartment  173 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 14 , the second housing  300  may include a door  301  that can be altered between a closed state (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and an open state (not shown). The door  301  may be coupled to the second housing  300  via a hinge, or it may be a slidable door such that it can be slid relative to the second housing  300  to gain access into the freezer compartment  173 . When the door  301  is open, a passageway into the freezer compartment  173  is created so that a user can reach into the freezer compartment  173  to remove a desired amount of the beverage ice cubes to add to an iced beverage. For example, to convert a hot coffee beverage into an iced coffee beverage, a cup may be filled with the beverage ice cubes (which are formed from hot coffee brewed in the integrated apparatus  100  as described herein), and then a separately brewed hot coffee can be added to the cup. In this way, the beverage ice cubes will convert the hot coffee into an iced coffee without any dilution, thereby maintaining the desired flavor of the coffee. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , complete operation of the integrated apparatus  100  will be described from filling the water tank  111  with water to forming the beverage ice cubes  180 . If the water supply inlet  116  is not coupled to a water supply or water source, the first step is for a user to pour water into the water tank  111  of the hot water supply subsystem  110 . If the water supply inlet  116  is coupled to a water supply or water source, the first step is for the controller  199  to receive data from the liquid level sensor  119  regarding the amount of water that is in the water tank  111  and to open/close the water supply valve  120  as needed to ensure that a sufficient or desired amount of water is transported into the water tank  111 . In embodiments where the water supply inlet  116  is coupled to a water supply, the water tank  111  may always be full or being filled automatically due to communication between the controller  199  and the liquid level sensor  119  and water supply valve  120 . 
     In one embodiment, upon the water tank  111  being filled with a desired amount of the water (i.e., 64 ounces in one embodiment), the controller  199  will activate the heating element(s)  112  to heat the water in the water tank  111 . The heating elements  112  will heat the water in the water tank  111  to the hot threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the heating elements  112 , by way of instructions received from the controller  199 , are configured to maintain the water in the water tank  111  at the hot threshold temperature so that it is prepared for brewing when a brewing activation signal is received by the controller  199 , such as by a user pressing a button or otherwise actuation the actuator  252  on the control panel  250 . Thus, in such embodiment the water in the water tank  111  is heated to the hot threshold temperature so long as the integrated apparatus  100  is powered on. In this embodiment, the water will remain heated in the water tank  111  until the brewing activation signal is received by the controller  199 . In accordance with this embodiment, once the brewing activation signal is received by the controller  199 , controller  199  will check to make sure that the water has reached the hot threshold temperature and if so, the controller  199  will automatically open the hot water valve  114  to enable the hot water to flow from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the water in the water tank  111  may not be heated until the brewing activation signal is received by the controller  199 . Specifically, in this alternative embodiment, the water will be at room temperature in the water tank  111 , and then a user will actuate the actuator  252  thereby sending the brewing activation signal to the controller  199 . At this time, and not prior, the controller  199  will instruct the heating elements  112  to power on and heat the water. This can occur either within the water tank  111  if the heating element  112  is coupled to the water within the water tank  111  or coupled to the water tank ( FIG. 9 ) or external to the water tank  111  if the heating element  112  is located along a conduit that is outside of the water tank  111  ( FIG. 10 ). In this embodiment, as soon as the water reaches the hot threshold temperature, the controller  199  will open the hot water valve  114  to enable the hot water to flow from the hot water supply subsystem  110  to the brewing subsystem  130  because the brewing activation signal has already been received. 
     Next, the hot water flows through the mixing apparatus  133  of the brewing subsystem  130 , which is prefilled with the filter  134  and the additive  135 . Specifically, the hot water will flow through the dispenser  144  and out of the dispenser nozzle(s) into the mixing apparatus  133  which is a container or coffee basket or the like. Within the mixing apparatus  133 , the hot water will mix with the additive  135 , flow through the additive  135  and the filter  134 , and then flow out through the opening  138  in the bottom surface of the mixing apparatus  133  as a hot beverage. In one embodiment, the additive  135  may be ground coffee beans and the hot beverage may be hot coffee as described herein. The flow of the hot water into and through the brewing subsystem  130  is not impeded by any valves. Rather, the hot water will flow through the brewing subsystem  130  from the hot water inlet  131  to the hot beverage outlet  132  unimpeded by valves or other mechanisms to stop the flow of the liquid. The hot beverage will flow from the hot beverage outlet  132 , through the hot beverage inlet  151  and into the heat exchanger  160  of the cooling subsystem  150 . Thus, once the valve  124  of the hot water supply subsystem  110  is opened, flow of the liquid/water from the water tank  111  to the cooling subsystem  150  occurs via gravity without any valves impeding flow. 
     Once the controller  199  detects that the hot beverage has entered into the hot beverage cooling tank  161  of the heat exchanger  160 , the controller  199  will activate the air flow generator  152  so that it will begin to stream air (i.e., the air flow stream  159 ) over and across the heat exchanger  160 . In some embodiments, the controller  199  will be made aware of the existence of the hot beverage in the hot beverage cooling tank  161  based on signals sent from a liquid level sensor located in the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . However, the invention is not to be so limited and the controller  199  may use other mechanisms for determining whether the hot beverage is present in the hot beverage cooling tank  161 , including a mass or weight sensor, a temperature sensor, any sensor that may detect the presence or absence of liquid, or any other sensor that may be used to inform the controller  199  of the existence of the hot beverage in the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . 
     Although described herein that the controller  199  only activates the air flow generator  152  when the hot beverage is detected in the hot beverage cooling tank  161 , the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments the air flow generator  152  may always be activated so long as the integrated apparatus  100  is powered on. In other embodiments, the air flow generator  152  may operate on a cycle independent of the brewing cycles such that the air flow generator activates for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, or the like minutes and then deactivates for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, or the like minutes. Thus, the air flow generator  152  operation may be controlled by the controller  199 , it may be preset and operate independently from the controller  199  in accordance with a predetermined schedule, or it may do some combination of the two. 
     While the hot beverage is stationary within the hot beverage cooling tank  161 , the hot beverage cools over time due to the heat from the hot beverage transferring into the hot beverage cooling tank  161  and from there into the ambient environment. This transfer of heat from the hot beverage to the hot beverage cooling tank  161  occurs as a result of heat conduction (when two objects having different temperatures are in contact, heat flows from a hotter material to a cooler material until they are in thermal equilibrium). As noted herein, the hot beverage does not move during this cooling process, but rather remains in a non-moving stationary position within the hot beverage cooling tank  161  with the air stream  159  generated by the air flow generator  152  flowing over the hot beverage cooling tank  161 . 
     While the hot beverage is in the hot beverage cooling tank  161 , the second temperature sensor  163  continually monitors the temperature of the hot beverage in the hot beverage cooling tank  161  and transmits the temperature readings to the controller  199 . Upon the second temperature sensor  163  detecting that the hot beverage has cooled to the cool temperature threshold (in some embodiments approximately room temperature, although exemplary and non-limiting temperature ranges for the cool temperature threshold are provided herein above), the second temperature sensor  163  transmits this information to the controller  199 . Then, the controller  199  opens the cooled beverage valve  154  to allow the cooled beverage to flow from the hot beverage cooling tank  161  of the cooling subsystem  150  into the cool beverage reservoir  171  of the freezing subsystem  170 . 
     In some embodiments, once in the cool beverage reservoir  171  of the freezing subsystem  170 , the cooled beverage will immediately pass through the outlet  176  in the floor  174  of the cool beverage reservoir  171  so that it can cascade over the beverage ice maker  172  as discussed above. In other embodiments, the controller  199  may control flow of the cooled beverage from the cool beverage reservoir  171  using a valve system as discussed above. The cooled beverage continues to flow over the beverage ice maker  172  with the excess cooled beverage being caught by the excess beverage trough  178  and pumped back to the cool beverage reservoir  171  as described above. Once a sufficient amount of the liquid has frozen, the beverage ice cubes  180  are removed from the beverage ice maker  172  and transported to the freezer compartment  173  where they can be accessed by a user via the door  301  in the second housing  300  of the integrated apparatus  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the entire process from filling the water tank  111  with water to forming beverage ice cubes may be automated and may occur without any user intervention required. Specifically, the controller  199  may be configured to automatically start a brewing cycle upon receiving a signal that the freezer compartment  173  is low on beverage ice cubes. 
     Specifically, in such embodiment a sensor in the freezer compartment  173  will inform the processor  199  that the freezer compartment  173  is low on beverage ice cubes, and in response the controller  199  will cause water to be filled into the water tank  111  (via the water supply inlet  116 ) and will then begin opening and closing valves as heating and cooling requirements of the water and beverage formed therefrom are met as set forth herein. In such an embodiment, the only action that might be required by a user is to ensure that a fresh batch of the additive is located within the mixing apparatus  133 , although this part of the process could also be automated in some embodiments. 
     Thus, using the integrated apparatus, a liquid such as water may be heated, mixed with an additive to convert it to a hot beverage, cooled, and then turned to ice. This entire process, possibly excluding the ice formation process, may occur solely via gravity without the use of any pumps. Furthermore, this entire process may occur automatically simply by a user pressing a button or otherwise actuating the actuator  252  to send a brewing activation signal to the controller  199 . There is a minimum of user interaction required for the entire process of providing water, brewing coffee from the water, and then turning that brewed coffee into ice cubes. This ensures that beverage or coffee ice cubes are always available within the integrated apparatus  100  and ready for addition to a drink to create an iced beverage without the typical dilution caused by standard water ice cubes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-23 , another embodiment of an integrated apparatus for forming frozen beverage blocks (hereinafter “integrated apparatus”)  600  is illustrated and will be described along with a related method of forming frozen beverage blocks. Much of the above-provided disclosure is applicable to the embodiments described below and will not be repeated herein in the interest of brevity. Thus, it should be appreciated that the description above may explain the details of various elements, components, parts, and the like that are not described in detail herein below. To be clear, the integrated apparatus  600  is very similar to the integrated apparatus  100  except that in the integrated apparatus  600  there is no brewing and there are additional components involved in the cooling process that were not included in the integrated apparatus  600 . However, there is a great deal of overlap in the different embodiments and the overlapping structures and process steps may not be described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 15-23 , it being understood that the description above is fully applicable. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the integrated apparatus  600  does not have the capability to brew a beverage. In fact, in the exemplified embodiment the integrated apparatus  600  does not even have the capability to heat a beverage or liquid. Thus, the integrated apparatus  600  does not mix a liquid such as water with a bed of additives to form the beverage. Rather, in the exemplified embodiment of the integrated apparatus  600 , the beverage is pre-made and then poured into or otherwise made to flow into the integrated apparatus  600  so that the beverage can be cooled if needed and then turned into frozen beverage blocks. The process of receiving the beverage and converting it into frozen beverage blocks may be fully automated in some embodiments with no action required by a human operator, except possibly to press a power or start button to initiate the operation. In some embodiments, a user need not even press a power or start button but the act of introducing the beverage into the integrated apparatus  600  may initiate operation. For example, a controller may detect that a beverage has been introduced and may automatically start the process of converting the beverage into frozen beverage blocks as described herein. 
     The term beverage as used herein includes any liquid that is intended for drinking, such as coffee, tea, soda, juice, hot chocolate or the like. Although in most preferable embodiments the beverage is a liquid other than pure water (although it could be water-based), in other embodiments the term beverage could also include pure water and the integrated apparatus  600  could be used to form traditional ice blocks/cubes made from water rather than frozen beverage blocks made from a non-water liquid. The integrated apparatus  600  converts the beverage into frozen beverage blocks so that the frozen beverage blocks can be added into a cup or glass containing the same beverage that was used to form the frozen beverage blocks. In this way, the beverage in the cup or glass can be chilled or cooled without diluting its taste. The frozen beverage blocks could also be added into a glass or cup containing a beverage that is different than the one that was used to create the frozen beverage blocks to create a different flavor profile or the like if so desired. 
     In certain embodiments, the beverage is intended to be a hot beverage, such as hot coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, or the like. More specifically, the beverage, at least when initially poured into the integrated apparatus  600 , is intended to have a temperature that is greater than 104° F., greater than 110° F., greater than 130° F., greater than 150° F., or the like. When a hot beverage is used, the integrated apparatus  600  is intended to cool the beverage and then convert the beverage from a liquid into a plurality of frozen blocks or cubes. Specifically, the integrated apparatus  600  will cool the hot beverage to a temperature that is at or below 104° F., and then proceed to convert the beverage from its liquid form into a solid frozen form. This is because it takes far too long to convert a hot beverage that is above 110° F., for example, into a frozen block in a freezing subsystem without first cooling the hot beverage to a temperature that is at or below 104° F. in a cooling subsystem. It should be appreciated that the integrated apparatus  600  could work just as well with a non-heated liquid, such as a liquid at or below room temperature or a liquid at or below 104° F. upon its first introduction into the integrated apparatus  600 . The integrated apparatus  600  simply has the capability of cooling a beverage before turning it into frozen blocks or cubes, but this cooling capability need not be used each time the integrated apparatus  600  operates. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 15 and 23 , the integrated apparatus  600  will be described. The integrated apparatus  600  generally comprises a first housing  601  that houses a beverage receiving subsystem  602  and a cooling subsystem  603  and a second housing  604  that houses a freezing subsystem  605 . The first and second housings  601 ,  604  are coupled together so that the beverage receiving subsystem  602 , the cooling subsystem  603 , and the freezing subsystem  605  are fluidly coupled together so that a beverage such as coffee, tea, or the like can be cooled if needed and then turned into frozen beverage blocks by flowing through the beverage receiving subsystem  602 , the cooling subsystem  603 , and the freezing subsystem  605 . The term frozen beverage blocks are intended to include a frozen structure having any desired shape, including cube-shaped, round, animal-shaped, theme-shaped or the like. Thus, the invention is in no way limited by the shape of the frozen beverage blocks that are formed using the integrated apparatus  600 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the front surface of the first housing  601  of the integrated apparatus  600  includes a control panel  610  and measuring indicia  615 . Referring to  FIG. 15A , in the exemplified embodiment the control panel  610  comprises several buttons that can be actuated by a user to initiate various processes/operations using the integrated apparatus  600 . For example, in the exemplified embodiment the control panel  610  comprises a power button for powering the integrated apparatus  600  on and off, a silent button for reducing the sound level being emitted, a clean button to initiate a cleaning cycle, and a reset button to reset the process/operation. The control panel  610  also comprises several indicator lights including working (indicating that the integrated apparatus is currently working to produce frozen beverage blocks), low coffee (indicating that additional coffee or other beverage should be added to the hot beverage reservoir, described below, if operation is desired to continue), service (indicating that maintenance is needed on the integrated apparatus), and ready (indicating that the integrated apparatus is ready for operation). Of course, more or less indicators and buttons could be added and incorporated into the control panel as needed. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the measuring indicia  615  is provided on a transparent or translucent portion of the first housing  601  so that a user can see the liquid level of the beverage in the hot beverage reservoir  606  and determine how much of the beverage is in the hot beverage reservoir  606  using the measuring indicia  615 . The measuring indicia  615  is provided in liters and quarts in the exemplified embodiment, but could be in any measurement units as may be desired. The measuring indicia  615  could also be omitted in some embodiments. 
     The second housing  604  houses the components that are used to form the beverage blocks (i.e., the freezing subsystem  605 ) and also includes a storage area  590  for storing the beverage blocks after they are formed. The second housing  604  comprises a door  591  that can be moved from a closed position ( FIG. 15 ) to an open position (not shown) to provide a user with access to the beverage blocks in the storage area  590 . Thus, when a user needs to add beverage blocks to a drink, a user will open the door  591 , remove one or more of the beverage blocks from the storage area  590 , and add the beverage blocks to a cup in order to cool a liquid beverage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15, 16, 17, and 24  concurrently, the integrated apparatus  600  will be further described. The beverage receiving subsystem  602  generally comprises a hot beverage reservoir  606 . In the exemplified embodiment, the hot beverage reservoir  606  comprises a lid  607  that is alterable from an open state ( FIG. 15 ) to a closed state. When in the open state, a beverage can be poured into the hot beverage reservoir  606  and when in the closed state the beverage is prevented from being poured into the hot beverage reservoir  606 . The lid  607  may be altered into the open state by pivoting the lid  607  as depicted in the exemplified embodiment, removing the lid  607  from the integrated apparatus  600  completely, or by other means. 
     The hot beverage reservoir  606  is generally a container or the like having an open top end that can be closed by the lid  607 , a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending from the closed bottom end to the open top end. Thus, the hot beverage reservoir  606  defines an interior space that is configured to hold a volume of a liquid beverage. The hot beverage reservoir  606  comprises an opening  608  in its bottom end or in its sidewall near the bottom end so that the beverage can flow from the interior space defined by the hot beverage reservoir  606  into the cooling subsystem  603 . This can be best seen in  FIG. 24 . 
     The hot beverage reservoir  606  may also comprise an overflow opening  609  in its sidewall near its open top end. The overflow opening  609  may be operably coupled to a drain or other discharge location via a conduit  610  so that if too much of the beverage is poured into the hot beverage reservoir  606  it can be discharged safely to a desired location rather than having it overflow and create a mess. 
     The cooling subsystem  603  generally comprises a cooling tube  611  and a chiller tank  612 . The cooling subsystem  603  is downstream of the beverage receiving subsystem  602  and the chiller tank  612  is downstream of the cooling tube  611 . Thus, during use, the beverage flows from the hot beverage reservoir  606  to the cooling tube  611 , through the cooling tube  611  and then into the chiller tank  612 . The beverage then rests or is held within the chiller tank  612  until its temperature is measured to be at or below a predetermined threshold temperature, as discussed above and as will be discussed further below. Thus, the beverage is held in the chiller tank  612  and prevented from exiting the chiller tank  612  until the temperature of the beverage is measured to be at or below the predetermined threshold temperature. The cooling subsystem  603  also comprises an air flow generator or fan device  626  that is configured to generate an air flow that is blown across the cooling tube  611  and the chiller tank  612  to cool the beverage as it flows through the cooling tube  611  and as it is held within the chiller tank  612 . In the exemplified embodiment, there are three air flow generators  626  positioned side-by-side within the housing  601 , although more or less than three air flow generators  626  could be used in other embodiments. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the air flow generators  626  are configured to blow ambient temperature air across the cooling tube  611  and the chiller tank  612  to cool the beverage. This is effective in certain embodiments because generally the beverage is in excess of 130° F. or 150° F. when first poured into the hot beverage reservoir  606  and as described herein the air flow generators  626  are only needed to reduce the temperature of the beverage to at or below 104° F. Thus, so long as the air being blown is cooler than the beverage, the air will be effective at cooling the beverage. Thus, blowing ambient temperature air across the cooling tube  611  and the chiller tank  612  will cool the beverage as it flows therethrough because the beverage is at a higher temperature than ambient. Ambient temperature may be between 70° F. and 80° F. in some embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , the cooling tube  611  and the chiller tank  612  of the cooling subsystem  603  will be described in greater detail. The cooling tube  611  generally comprises a tube portion  613  and a plurality of fins  614  coupled to and extending from the tube portion  613 . More specifically, the tube portion  613  comprises an inner surface that defines a flow passageway for the beverage and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The plurality of fins  614  are coupled to the outer surface of the tube portion  613  and extend therefrom to enhance the cooling of a beverage flowing through the flow passageway. The plurality of fins  614  are arranged on the outer surface of the tube portion  613  in a spaced apart manner and in the exemplified embodiment they extend radially from the tube portion  613 . The fins  614  help to remove heat from the beverage as the beverage flows through the cooling tube  611 , thereby reducing the temperature of the beverage. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, each of the fins  614  is in the shape of a rounded disc, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the fins  614  may take on other shapes as may be desired. In the exemplified embodiment, the tube portion  613  may be formed from stainless steel and the fins  614  may be formed from aluminum due to the higher thermal conductivity of aluminum as compared to stainless steel. Of course, other materials may be used for the tube portion  613  and the fins  614  so long as they permit the beverage to flow through and be cooled within the cooling tube  611  as described herein. For example, in some embodiments the entirety of the cooling tube  611  may be formed from stainless steel or aluminum, rather than having portions thereof formed from different ones of those materials. Other metals or thermally conductive materials may be used, such as copper, zinc, tungsten, nickel, magnesium, gold, chromium, or the like. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the cooling tube  611  is arranged in a serpentine shape and defines a serpentine-shaped flow path. Stated another way, the cooling tube  611  is curved or otherwise bent into a plurality of side-by-side U-shapes with the bight of each U being located opposite the bight of an adjacent U. The serpentine shape forms a curved flow path having multiple turns. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the cooling tube  611  comprises a first section  615  having a serpentine shape with multiple turns located adjacent to the hot beverage reservoir  606  and a second section  616  having a serpentine shape with multiple turns located between the first section  615  and the chiller tank  612 . 
     The first section  615  of the cooling tube  611  is oriented at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane and the second section  616  of the cooling tube  611  is oriented at a second angle relative to the horizontal plane ( FIG. 20 ). Thus, the first and second sections  615 ,  616  collectively form a V-shape due to the angled orientation of the first and second sections  615 ,  616 . The angling of the first and second sections  615 ,  616  of the cooling tube  611  is important in some embodiments because it allows the beverage to flow through the flow passageway of the cooling tube  611  passively solely due to gravity without the need for any pumps or other forced flow mechanisms to drive the movement of the beverage. Simply by angling the cooling tube  611  relative to a horizontal plane, the beverage will naturally and passively flow through the cooling tube  611  to the chiller tank  612  by the force of gravity. 
     The first section  615  of the cooling tube  611  is positioned directly above the second section  616  of the cooling tube  611 . As a result, the cooling tube  611  takes up less space while maximizing the length of the flow passageway defined by the cooling tube  611  to maximize cooling of the beverage. The longer the period of time that the beverage is flowing through the cooling tube  611  the more the beverage will get cooled (assuming that the temperature of the beverage is above ambient temperature). Thus, by using the serpentine shape and vertically stacking the first and second sections  615 ,  616  of the cooling tube  611 , maximum cooling of the beverage can be achieved within a small overall space. This is important because the integrated apparatus  600  may be used and stored in a coffee shop, for example, and such coffee shops tend to be quite small with little extra space for such machines. Thus, by minimizing the space taken up by the cooling tube  611  while maximizing the cooling result achieved therein, the integrated apparatus  600  can be made smaller to fit in smaller cafes and the like. In fact, in alternative embodiments additional “sections” can be added to the cooling tube  611  which will increase the vertical height of the cooling tube  611  but not the width and depth of the cooling tube  611 , if an additional length of the cooling tube  611  would be desirable to provide additional time for the beverage to cool while flowing through the cooling tube  611 . 
     The cooling tube  611  comprises an inlet  617  and an outlet  618 . The inlet  617  is operably coupled to the first section  615  of the cooling tube  611  and provides a location at which the beverage can enter into the cooling tube  611  from the hot beverage reservoir  606 . The outlet  618  is operably coupled to the second section  616  of the cooling tube  611  and provides a location at which the beverage can flow from the cooling tube  611  to the chiller tank  612 . 
     The chiller tank  612  comprises a tank portion  619  comprising a cavity for holding the beverage and a heat sink  620  coupled to and extending from the tank portion  619 . The chiller tank  612  is very similar to the heat exchanger  160  described above, and thus the details of the chiller tank  612  will not be provided herein, it being understood that the details of the heat exchanger  160  described above are applicable. Thus, although there is no view of the chiller tank  612  that allows visualization of the cavity that it comprises, these features should be understood from the description of the heat exchanger  160  above and  FIGS. 10-13 . The main difference is that where the heat exchanger  160  comprises heat dissipating elements on both sides thereof, the chiller tank  612  includes a heat sink  620  with heat dissipating elements on only one side thereof. As best seen in  FIG. 20 , the chiller tank  612  is oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane to ensure that the beverage contained therein flows to the outlet  621  of the chiller tank  612  via gravity. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16, 17, and 23 , the freezing subsystem  605  will be briefly described. The freezing subsystem  605  generally comprises a cool beverage reservoir  622  and an evaporator  623 . The evaporator  623  is the same as the evaporator or beverage ice maker  172  described above in the previous embodiment and thus it will not be described in great detail herein, it being understood that the description provided above is applicable. Furthermore, the general manner in which the freezing sub-system  605  generates or forms frozen beverage blocks using the evaporator  623  will not be described, it having been described in detail above. However, generally, the freezing subsystem  605  comprises a pump  624  for pumping the beverage from the cool beverage reservoir  622  to the top of the evaporator  623 , where the beverage is allowed to cascade down the evaporator  623  and turn to frozen beverage blocks. Portions of the beverage that do not freeze flow back into the cool beverage reservoir  622  where they are again pumped to the top of the evaporator  623  and made to cascade down the evaporator. Thus, there is a closed-loop flow between the cool beverage reservoir  622  and the evaporator  623  to achieve the freezing of the beverage into the frozen beverage blocks  650 . This process continues in as many cycles as are needed to freeze a sufficient amount of the beverage to form the frozen beverage blocks  650 . The freezing subsystem  605  also comprises a conduit  624  that facilitates the flow of the beverage from the cool beverage reservoir  622  to the top of the evaporator  623 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the pump  624  is an Axel Mag Pump (e.g., a magnetic pump that uses an impeller to create suction to move the beverage from the cool beverage reservoir  622  to the top end of the evaporator  623 ). However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and other types of pumps may be used in other embodiments. 
     The pump  624  of the exemplified embodiment is intended to be mounted horizontally within the integrated apparatus  600  so that the propeller of the pump  624  is not submerged within the beverage. This is done because when the propeller is submerged, it has the potential to churn the beverage into foam which is undesirable. The actuation of the impeller of the pump  624  is created by magnets inside of the pump  624 , which increases the life-cycle of the pump  624 . The pump  624  may have a customizable suction power, and hence a customizable flow rate. In the exemplified embodiment, the pump  624  is configured to operate with a flow rate of 0.3 to 2.0 gallons per minute, more specifically 0.5 to 1.5 gallons per minute, and still more specifically 0.7 to 1.0 gallons per minute. It has been determined that flow rates above the higher points in the ranges provided may cause the beverage to foam, which as mentioned is undesirable because the foam can spill out of the integrated apparatus  600  and such foam makes for poor frozen beverage blocks. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21-24 , the freezer subsystem  605  will be further described. The cool beverage reservoir  622  comprises a collection trough  670  and a collection tank  671  that are fluidly coupled together. The collection trough  671  comprises a cavity  627  and the collection tank  671  comprises a cavity  672  that are collectively configured to hold a volume of the beverage. The collection trough  670  comprises a floor  673  and a sidewall  674  extending from the floor  673  to an open top end. There are multiple openings in the floor  673  of the collection trough  670 . Specifically, there is a first opening  675  in the floor  673  of the collection trough  670  to permit the beverage to flow from the collection trough  670  into the collection tank  671 . The collection tank  671  has a much smaller volume capacity than the collection trough  670 , so only a small percentage of the beverage will flow from the collection trough  670  into the collection tank  671  before the collection tank  671  is full. Thus, in the cool beverage reservoir  622 , most of the beverage will be located in the collection trough  670  and a portion of the beverage will flow into the collection tank  671 . 
     There is a second opening  676  in the floor  673  of the collection trough  670  through which a pump conduit  677  extends. The pump conduit  677  has a first end  678  that is located in the cavity  672  of the collection tank  671  and a second end  679  that is coupled to the pump  624 . Thus, the beverage that is pumped from the cool beverage reservoir  622  is taken directly from the cavity  672  of the collection tank  671 . Specifically, during operation the pump  624  pulls the beverage from the cavity  672  of the collection tank  671 , through the pump conduit  677 , and then to the evaporator  623  to form the frozen beverage blocks  650  as described herein. This ensures that the pump  624  is always pulling the beverage from the lower-most or deepest point of the cool beverage reservoir  622  (i.e., from within the cavity  672  of the collection tank  671 ) to prevent air from being pulled into the pump  624 . Of course, in alternative embodiments the collection tank  671  could be omitted and the beverage could be pulled from a bottom region of the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670 . However, it has been found that using the collection tank  671  is the most effective way to ensure that no air is pulled in through the pump, which can create an undesirable result in terms of frozen beverage block formation. As can be seen, the pump  624  is horizontally oriented and is entirely removed from the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670  such that no part of the pump  624  is submerged in the beverage during operation as noted above. 
     Furthermore, as best seen in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , an evaporator lip  628  is coupled to a bottom end of the evaporator  623  and protrudes from one of the two opposing major surfaces of the evaporator  623 . In the exemplified embodiment, the evaporator lip  628  is an L-shaped component such that a horizontally extending lip thereof extends perpendicularly from the evaporator  623 . The evaporator lip  628  is intended to catch the beverage as it flows down the evaporator  623  before the beverage is able to fall into the cavity  627  of the cool beverage reservoir  622 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the beverage falls, flows, or cascades down the front surface of the evaporator  623  during use. As the beverage cascades down the front surface of the evaporator  623 , some of the beverage freezes and remains coupled to the evaporator  623  within one of the grid-like openings and the rest of the beverage remains in liquid form and falls until it contacts the evaporator lip  628 . The evaporator lip  628  is secured tight against the front surface of the evaporator  623 . Thus, the beverage flows along the evaporator lip  628  prior to falling into the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670  cool beverage reservoir  623 . 
     Even more specifically, the integrated apparatus  600  also comprises a flap member  680  that is pivotably coupled to the collection trough  670 . The flap member  680  is capable of pivoting or rotating about a rotational axis Z-Z. The flap member  680  has a first end  681  that is located very close to the evaporator lip  628  and a second end  682  that is located within the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670  of the cool beverage reservoir  622 . Thus, the beverage will flow along the evaporator lip  628  until it reaches a distal end of the horizontal portion of the evaporator lip  628 , at which time the beverage will flow onto the flap member  680 . The beverage will then flow along the flap member  680  and into the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670  and eventually will flow off of the flap member  680  at the second end  682  of the flap member  680  and into the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670 . Because the second end  682  of the flap member  680  is located in the collection trough  670 , this results in a very short drop for the beverage, if there is any drop at all, dependent on the level of the beverage that is already present in the collection trough  670 . 
     For example, if the second end  682  of the flap member  680  is submerged in the beverage, the beverage that is flowing down the flap member  680  will simply flow directly into the beverage in the collection trough  670 . If the second end  682  of the flap member  680  is not submerged in the beverage, the beverage flowing down the flap member  680  will fall off of the second end  682  of the flap member  680  and free fall until it either contacts the floor  673  of the collection trough  670  or until it contacts any other beverage that is already in the collection trough  670 . In either case, having the flap member  680  extending into the cavity  627  of the collection trough  670  reduces the distance that the beverage free falls into the collection trough  670 , which prevents the beverage from foaming. If the beverage were to free fall from the evaporator  623  into the collection trough  670  (i.e., if the evaporator lip  628  and/or the flap member  680  were omitted), the impact of the beverage with the floor  673  of the collection trough  670  or with any other beverage already in the collection trough  670  would create foam due to the free fall distance of the beverage. The structure depicted in  FIG. 22  and described above reduces this distance, thereby reducing or eliminating foam generation. 
     Thus, the evaporator lip  628 , alone and/or in combination with the flap member  680 , prevents the beverage from cascading down the front surface of the evaporator  623  and immediately falling into the cool beverage reservoir  622 , which would require the beverage to fall a distance of 2-3 inches or so depending on the volume of the beverage that is in the cool beverage reservoir  622  at the time. The reason that this is important is that if the beverage were coffee, for example, the act of the coffee falling from the evaporator  623  into the cool beverage reservoir  622  would cause the coffee to foam upon impact. Specifically, the coffee free-falling the 2-3 inches into the cool beverage reservoir  622  before contacting the floor of the cool beverage reservoir  622  or other beverage located in the cool beverage reservoir  622  would cause the coffee (and some other beverages) to foam. Because the coffee is cold as it is being turned to a frozen coffee block by the evaporator  623 , the coffee foam becomes thick and compounds. Thus, the foam would build over time and eventually spill out of the cool beverage reservoir  622  and down the back of the integrated apparatus  600 , causing a fairly large mess. The foam would also eventually be passed through the pump  624  which would cause the frozen beverage blocks to have large air bubbles in them, which is not ideal. 
     Thus, the evaporator lip  628  allows the coffee (or other beverage) to continue flowing along parts of the machine into the cool beverage reservoir  622  rather than free-falling for too great of a distance before the beverage makes impact within the cool beverage reservoir  622  or any beverage already present therein. As a result, the beverage (i.e., coffee) does not foam (or any foam generated is minimal) and the frozen beverage blocks that are formed are free of air bubbles and foam does not leak out of the machine. Thus, when the machine is being used to make coffee or other beverages that may foam upon impact as described herein, the evaporator lip  628  is important for successful operation of the integrated apparatus  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , the electronic components of the integrated apparatus  600  will be described. The integrated apparatus  600  comprises a first controller  630  and a second controller  660  that control the process steps and method of operation of the integrated apparatus  600 . Thus, the first and second controllers  630 ,  660  may be any computer or central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, micro-controller, computational device, or circuit configured for executing some or all of the processes described herein, including without limitation: (1) activation and deactivation of an air flow generator; and (2) opening and closing of valves, based on input received from various sensors. The first and second controllers  630 ,  660  may include, without limitation, any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory including random access memory (RAM) and various types thereof, read-only memory (ROM) and various types thereof, USB flash memory, and magnetic or optical data storage devices (e.g. internal/external hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic tape CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, optical disk, ZIP™ drive, Blu-ray disk, and others), which may be written to and/or read by the processor which is operably connected thereto. The memory device may store algorithms and/or calculations that can be used (by the processor) to determine when to open/close and activate/deactivate the various electrical components of the system described herein. The first and second controllers  630 ,  660  may include or be operably coupled to a power source in some embodiments as has been described in detail above. 
     The integrated apparatus  600  comprises a first liquid level sensor  631  that is configured to detect when a liquid level of the beverage in the chiller tank  612  is at or above an upper threshold, a second liquid level sensor  632  that is configured to detect when a liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir is at or above an upper threshold, and a third liquid level sensor  633  that is configured to detect when a liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir is at or below a lower threshold. The first and second liquid level sensors  631 ,  632  are operably coupled to the first controller  630  so that the first controller  630  can use the information/data provided to it by the first and second liquid level sensors  631 ,  632  to control the opening and closing of valves, the fan device  626 , and the like as described herein. The third liquid level sensor  633  is operably coupled to the second controller  660  so that the second controller  660  can control the activation/deactivation of the pump  624 , and the like, as described herein. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the integrated apparatus comprises a first valve  634  downstream of the hot beverage reservoir  606  and upstream of the cooling tube  611  of the cooling subsystem  603  and a second valve  635  downstream of the chiller tank  612  of the cooling subsystem  603  and upstream of the cool beverage reservoir  622  of the freezing subsystem  605 . In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second valves  634 ,  635  is operably coupled to the first controller  630 . The fan device  626  is also operably coupled to the first controller  630  as shown in  FIG. 24 . The pump  624  and the third liquid level sensor  633  are operably coupled to the second controller  660 . Thus, the first controller  630  is able to control the opening and closing of the first and second valves  634 ,  635  and activation/deactivation of the fan device  626  and the second controller  660  is able to control activation and deactivation of the pump  624  based on information they receive from the various sensors including the first, second, and third liquid level sensors  631 ,  632 ,  633 , and a temperature sensor  636 , as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , operation of the integrated apparatus  600  in accordance with a method of forming frozen beverage blocks will be described. The first step in the process is to introduce a beverage into the hot beverage reservoir  606  of the beverage receiving subsystem  601  (Step  701 ). This can include pouring the beverage from a different container, cup, or the like into the hot beverage reservoir  606 , transporting the beverage through a conduit into the hot beverage reservoir  606 , or the like. In some embodiments, upon introducing the beverage into the hot beverage reservoir  606 , the beverage will immediately flow into the cooling subsystem  603  (Step  702 ). In other embodiments, a user must first press power or start on the control panel  610  of the integrated apparatus  600  before the beverage will flow from the hot beverage reservoir  606  to the cooling subsystem  603 . Thus, in some embodiments the first valve  634  is closed until a user presses the power button on the control panel  610 , and such pressing of the power button will cause the first controller  630  to open the first valve  634 . In other embodiments, the first valve  634  may be omitted or only used to prevent the beverage from flowing out of the hot beverage reservoir  606  when the chiller tank  612  is full, as described directly below. 
     The opening and closing of the first valve  634  may also, or alternatively, be controlled in another way. Specifically, as noted above the first liquid level sensor  631  provides information to the first controller  630  regarding the level of the beverage in the chiller tank  612 . Thus, if the first liquid level sensor  631  measures the liquid level of the beverage in the chiller tank  612  to be above a pre-determined upper threshold, the controller may close the first valve  634  to ensure that additional amounts of the beverage do not flow into the chiller tank  612  to prevent the chiller tank  612  from overflowing. In other embodiments, additional amounts of the beverage may simply be held in the cooling tube  611  and in a first conduit  640  that extends between the hot beverage reservoir  606  and the cooling tube  611  if the chiller tank  612  is full and cannot hold any more of the beverage. Thus, in some embodiments the first liquid level sensor  631  may also be omitted. 
     As noted above, the beverage that is poured or otherwise introduced into the hot beverage reservoir  606  may be hot, such as above 104° F., above 110° F., above 130° F., above 150° F., above 170° F., or the like. However, this is not required and the beverage could have any temperature desired including temperatures below 104° F. Once the beverage is released from the hot beverage reservoir  606 , the beverage flows through the first conduit  640  and into the passageway of the cooling tube  611  of the cooling subsystem  610 . In some embodiments, the fan device  626  is operating to generate an air stream or to blow cool air as soon as a user presses the start or power button on the control panel  610 . In other embodiments, the first controller  630  may activate the fan device  626  as soon as the beverage flows from the hot beverage reservoir  606  into the cooling subsystem  603 . Either way, as the beverage flows through the cooling tube  611  of the cooling subsystem  610 , cooling air (which may be at ambient temperature) generated by the fan device  626  is blown across the cooling tube  611  to cool the beverage, if such cooling is needed (i.e., if the beverage is above 104° F., or if the beverage has a temperature that is above ambient). In some embodiments, the fan device  626  may be operating even if the temperature of the beverage is already below the predetermined threshold temperature noted herein. In some embodiments, the fan device  626  is activated by the first controller  630  when the temperature sensor  636  measures the temperature of the beverage to be at or above the predetermined threshold temperature. 
     As described above, in the exemplified embodiment the beverage flows along a serpentine flow path within the passageway of the cooling tube  611 . The heat of the beverage will dissipate through the tube portion  613  and the fins  614  of the cooling tube  611  to reduce the temperature of the beverage as the cooling air generated by the fan device  626  is blown across the cooling tube  611 . The beverage flows through the cooling tube  611  passively such that the flow is entirely gravity driven because the cooling tube  611  is angled relative to a horizontal plane as described above. Thus, the beverage will flow through the cooling tube  611  being cooled all the while. Eventually, the beverage will reach the outlet of the cooling tube  611 , at which time the beverage will flow into the cavity of the chiller tank  612 . 
     The cooling air generated by the fan device  626  blows across the chiller tank  612  to continue cooling the beverage while the beverage is located within the chiller tank  612 . In some embodiments the cooling air generated by the fan device  626  may be blown simultaneously across the cooling tube  611  and the chiller tank  612 . In other embodiments, the direction at which the cooling air is blown may change depending on the location of the beverage in the system. Thus, if the beverage is in the cooling tube  611 , the cooling air will be blown across the cooling tube  611  and if the beverage is in the chiller tank  612 , the cooling air will be blown across the chiller tank  612 . 
     When the beverage reaches the chiller tank  612 , the second valve  635  will generally be closed, at least initially, to hold the beverage in the chiller tank  612  or prevent the beverage from exiting the chiller tank  612  and flowing into the freezing subsystem  605  until the temperature of the beverage in the chiller tank  612  is measured to be at or below a predetermined threshold temperature. In that regard, the integrated apparatus  600  comprises a temperature sensor  636  that is configured to measure the temperature of the beverage that is located within the chiller tank  612  (Step  703 ). The temperature sensor  636  is operably coupled to the first controller  630  so that the first controller  630  can control the opening/closing of the second valve  635  based on the temperature of the beverage in the chiller tank  612 . If the temperature sensor  636  measures the temperature of the beverage in the chiller tank  612  to be above the predetermined threshold temperature, the first controller  630  will keep the second valve  635  closed to prevent the beverage from exiting the chiller tank  612  (Step  704 ). Upon the temperature sensor  636  measuring the temperature of the beverage in the chiller tank  612  to be at or below the predetermined threshold temperature, the first controller  630  will open the second valve  635 , thereby allowing the beverage to flow from the chiller tank  612  to the cool beverage reservoir  622  (Step  705 ). In the exemplified embodiment, the flow of the beverage from the chiller tank  612  to the cool beverage reservoir  622  is entirely passive and gravity driven such that no pumps or other mechanisms are required to drive this flow. The beverage flows along a second conduit  641  from the chiller tank  612  to the cool beverage reservoir  622 . 
     In some embodiments, the flow rate of the beverage through the second valve  635  is in a range of 0.5 to 4 gallons per minute, more specifically 0.5 to 3 gallons per minute, and still more specifically 1 to 2 gallons per minute. The reason for this is that it ensures that the first controller  630  has sufficient time to re-close the second valve  635  as soon as the temperature sensor  636  measures the temperature of the beverage to be above the predetermined threshold temperature. For example, in some embodiments the beverage may fill the chiller tank  612 , the cooling tubes  611 , the conduit  640 , and the hot beverage reservoir  606 . The temperature sensor  636  is only measuring the temperature of the beverage that is in the chiller tank  612 . Thus, as soon as the temperature of the beverage that is in the chiller tank  612  is at or below the predetermined threshold temperature, the first controller  630  will open the valve and allow the beverage to flow into the freezing subsystem  605 . As soon as the temperature sensor  636  measures the beverage to above the predetermined threshold temperature, the first controller  630  will close the second valve  635 . However, if the flow of the beverage through the second valve  635  is too fast, some of the hotter beverage that was located in the cooling tubes  611 , the conduit  640 , and/or the hot beverage reservoir  606  may also flow through the second valve  635  before the first controller  630  has a chance to close the second valve  635 . Thus, by keeping the flow rate of the beverage through the second valve  635  to the range noted above, this can be kept to a minimum or prevented. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the predetermined threshold temperature may be approximately 104° F. In some embodiments, approximately may include a 10% increase or decrease from the provided value. In other embodiments, the predetermined threshold temperature may be exactly 104° F. Thus, until the beverage in the chiller tank  612  reaches 104° F., the beverage will be held in the chiller tank  612  and prevented from flowing into the freezing subsystem  605 . The reason for this is that if the beverage is above 104° F., it will take far too long for the freezing subsystem  605  to form frozen beverage blocks from the beverage. It has been determined that 104° F. is an optimal temperature that results in an optimal time period in terms of both cooling the beverage in the cooling subsystem  603  and freezing the beverage in the freezing subsystem  605 . If one has to wait until the beverage temperature is much below 104° F., it will take too long to cool the beverage in the cooling subsystem  603  and if the beverage is released from the chiller tank  612  when much above 104° F. it will take too long to freeze the beverage in the freezing subsystem  605 . Furthermore, temperatures hotter than 104° F. may damage the pump  624 . In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold temperature may be in a range of 80° F. to 120° F., more specifically 95° F. to 110° F., more specifically 100° F. to 105° F., and more specifically approximately 104° F. Of course, if the beverage is already below the predetermined threshold temperature upon it being introduced into the hot beverage reservoir  606 , the beverage will be immediately released from the chiller tank  612  (so long as there is sufficient space in the cool beverage reservoir  622  to receive the beverage, as discussed below) because additional cooling of the beverage will not be needed. Thus, the beverage may be introduced into the apparatus with a lower temperature without affecting the operation. The machine is merely capable of cooling the beverage to below the predetermined threshold temperature if such cooling is needed. 
     The entirety of the flow of the beverage along a first flow path from the hot beverage reservoir  606  of the beverage receiving subsystem to the cool beverage reservoir  622  of the freezing subsystem  605  may be gravity driven. This includes flow of the beverage from the hot beverage reservoir  606  through the first conduit  640 , into and through the cooling tube  611 , into the chiller tank  612 , and from the chiller tank  612  into and through the second conduit  641 , and from the second conduit  641  into the cool beverage reservoir  622 . Although there are first and second valves  634 ,  635  located along the first flow path in the exemplified embodiment, there are no pumps or other components that drive the flow other than gravity. 
     Once a sufficient amount of the beverage is within the cool beverage reservoir  622  of the freezing subsystem  605 , the freezing subsystem  605  operates to convert the liquid beverage into frozen beverage blocks. During operation of the freezing subsystem  605 , the beverage is pumped by the pump  624  along a closed-loop flow path from the cool beverage reservoir  622  and through a cool beverage conduit  642  to a top end of the evaporator  623 . Next, the beverage cascades down the evaporator  623  until the beverage contacts the evaporator lip  628 . Next, the beverage falls from the evaporator lip  628  back into the cool beverage reservoir  622  (possibly via the flap member  680  as described above). The beverage may go through multiple cycles within the closed-loop flow path until enough of the beverage has frozen to form frozen beverage cubes  650 . Specifically, the evaporator is very cold and will eventually freeze the beverage. However, because the beverage may initially be around 100° F. when it enters the freezing subsystem  105 , it will likely take several passes of the beverage through the closed-loop flow path before it freezes. As the beverage continues to cascade down the evaporator  623 , more and more of the beverage freezes such that the beverage freezes in layers within the openings in the evaporator  623  (which is in the form of a grid). This process is the same as the process described above with regard to the earlier described embodiment. 
     In this embodiment, there are two liquid level sensors in the cool beverage reservoir  622 , the second liquid level sensor  632  and the third liquid level sensor  633 . As noted above, the second liquid level sensor  632 , which is operably coupled to the first controller  630 , is configured to detect when a liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  622  is at or above an upper threshold. The third liquid level sensor  633 , which is operably coupled to the second controller  660 , is configured to detect when the liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  622  is at or below a lower threshold. Thus, upon the liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  622  being measured by the second liquid level sensor  632  to be at or above the upper threshold (Step  706 ), the first controller  630  may close the second valve  634 , which is located upstream of the cool beverage reservoir  622  and downstream of the chiller tank  612 , to prevent an additional amount of the beverage from flowing from the chiller tank  612  to the cool beverage reservoir  622  (Step  707 ). This prevents the beverage from overflowing the cool beverage reservoir  622 . If the liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir is not above the upper threshold (Step  706 ), the second valve  635  will be open if the temperature of the beverage in the chiller tank  612  is also at or below the threshold temperature. Thus, the opening and closing of the second valve  635  is controlled (by the first controller  630 ) by the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  636  (closed when temperature is above predetermined threshold and open when temperature is below predetermined threshold) and by the second liquid level sensor  632  (open when the liquid level is below the upper threshold and closed when the liquid level is at or above the upper threshold). 
     Furthermore, upon the liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  622  being measured by the third liquid level sensor  633  to be at or below the lower threshold ( 708 ), the second controller  660  may deactivate the pump  624  and prevent the beverage from flowing through the closed-loop flow path ( 709 ). This is done when the liquid level is too low to prevent the pump  624  from sucking in air. The reason is that if the pump  624  sucks in air, foam will be generated in the beverage (particularly when the beverage is coffee). As noted above, such foam is undesirable as it creates frozen beverage blocks with air bubbles therein and other deformities and also may cause the beverage to foam and overflow out of the machine. When the liquid level of the beverage in the cool beverage reservoir  622  is measured to be above the lower threshold (Step  710 ), the pump  624  is activated and the beverage is made to flow along the closed fluid flow path noted above. The pump will remain activated  624  and the beverage will undergo several cycles through the closed fluid flow path as needed to freeze a sufficient amount of the beverage to form the frozen beverage blocks  650 . 
     The invention described herein can be used to cool a hot beverage and then convert the hot beverage from a liquid into frozen beverage blocks. Thus, for example, a user may brew a pot of coffee and then immediately introduce the coffee into the integrated apparatus  600  without spending any time pre-cooling the coffee. Thus, the coffee may be approximately between 195° F. and 205° F. at the time that it is first introduced into the hot beverage reservoir  606 . The coffee will flow through the cooling tubes  611  and then be held in the chiller tank  612  while cooling air blows across the cooling tubes  611  and the chiller tank  612  to reduce the temperature of the coffee. The coffee will be prevented from exiting the chiller tank  612  until the temperature of the coffee has been reduced to at or below the threshold temperature, which in the exemplified embodiment is approximately 104° F. (or the ranges provided above). Once the beverage temperature reaches the predetermined threshold temperature, the beverage may be released from the chiller tank  612  into the freezing subsystem  605  where the beverage can be converted from its liquid form to a solid, frozen form (i.e., frozen coffee blocks). 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.