Patent Abstract:
A system and method for brewing beverages utilizing inertial separation and an adjustable-volume brewing chamber to selectively retain or release particulate matter, oils, and/or other components of the brewed beverage, whereby mechanical filtration may be avoided and smaller particulates may be separated from the beverage. Thus, less material is needed to achieve similar levels of infusion and brewing time may be reduced.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to food and beverages, and more particularly to a system and method for brewing beverages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although coffee beans have been cultivated for use in making beverages for a millennium or more, and tea leaves for much longer, there are surprisingly few methods available for producing beverages from such crops. For tea, the conventional brewing methodology involves steeping the leaves in hot water, with or without a separation element, such as a screen or paper filter. For coffee, more techniques are known, but nearly all include a similar mechanical separation means. The only methods of brewing coffee or tea that omit a filter or screen produce a beverage containing gross particulate matter; “Turkish” coffee is an example. Especially for coffee beverages, where avoidance of such gross particulate matter during consumption is nearly impossible, and where such particulate matter is undesirable, one is forced to employ a mechanical separation means, such as discussed above, along with disadvantages attendant thereto. This explains the prevalence of brewing methods utilizing a mechanical separation element of one form or another. 
     Nevertheless, use of such mechanical separation elements is likewise problematic. Perhaps the most important detriment associated with mechanical separation of particulate matter is the undesirable affect on taste caused by interaction of the separation element with the beverage. This effect is most pronounced with use of paper filters, and is caused both by chemicals in the paper, as well as by absorption by the porous paper of oils and other flavor or aroma-providing compounds and dissolved particles. The alternative, metallic filters, may similarly and adversely affect the taste of the finished beverage, especially when not properly or adequately cleaned. A metallic taste or a stale flavor may be imparted to the beverage by such a filter, and metallic filters may also remove flavorful and/or aromatic compounds from the finished beverage. 
     Additionally, many forms of mechanical separation, whether paper, metal or another material, involve passage of the brewed beverage through particulate matter collected at the separation element, wherein oils and/or other organic compounds or materials may be absorbed or re-absorbed by the collected particulate matter. An illustrative example is drip brewing, wherein the brewed coffee is filtered by gravity not only through a metal or paper liner of the brewing chamber, but also through the settled coffee grounds. As the oils and other flavorful and/or aromatic compounds or dissolved particles pass through the coffee grounds, re-absorption by the grounds may occur. Moreover, remaining portions that successfully pass through the grounds may then further be altered, absorbed, or trapped, at least in part, by the liner. 
     As such, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a system and method for brewing beverages that separates unwanted gross particulate matter from the finished beverage, and that, without use of mechanical filtration or separation means, avoids adverse impact on the taste of the beverage and allows oils and other flavor-providing compounds and dissolved particles to remain in the finished beverage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the device and method of the present disclosure overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a system and method by providing a beverage brewing system and method utilizing inertial separation of gross particulate matter. 
     More specifically, a brewing system according to the present disclosure includes a rotatable brewing chamber and a drain or outlet operable therewith. A beverage may be prepared by combination in the rotatable brewing chamber of a substance along with a liquid to be infused by the substance, separation of the beverage from undesired particulate matter by selective rotation of the brewing chamber, and evacuation of the beverage via the drain or outlet. 
     The rotatable chamber is preferably formed as a cylinder or drum, and may be driven by an appropriate prime mover, such as an electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic motor, a hand crank, or the like. The rate of rotation of the chamber is preferably controllable to selectively separate particles and compounds at or above a selected density or particle size. A movable lid or cover is preferably further included to prevent liquid and/or particulate matter from escaping the brewing chamber during rotation. Depression of the lid or cover into the brewing chamber preferably reduces a volume thereof, whereby evacuation of the beverage may be facilitated. A selectively-sealable drain aperture is preferably provided through the wall of the brewing chamber proximate an axis of rotation thereof, and is preferably in communication with a spout or other fluid conducting or storage means to allow the beverage to be dispensed. 
     Rotation of the brewing chamber preferably causes separation of particulate matter from the liquids, including oils, due to the differing respective densities thereof, wherein coffee grounds, tea leaves, or the like, may accumulate proximate one or more side wall(s) of the chamber during rotation due to inertia and/or a centripetal force provided by the side wall(s). The liquid beverage, including any oils, dissolved particulates, and suspended particulates below a selected density may remain proximate the drain aperture, wherein they may escape therethrough under the force of gravity and/or due to a pressure created by a reduction in the volume of the chamber. During such evacuation of the beverage, the liquids are preferably maintained separate from the gross particulate matter accumulated proximate the walls, whereby oils and other flavorful or aromatic compounds of the like are not removed from the beverage by filtration, absorption, or the like, and are not altered via interaction with such gross particulate matter. 
     Particles equal to or greater than a selected size or density may preferably be selectively separated by selective control of the rotation rate of the chamber, as well as by selection of the duration of the rotation. Thus, by such selective control, very small particles may be separated from the beverage, including particles smaller than may practically be separated due to pore-size limitations of conventional mechanical separation means. As a result, a finer grind of coffee beans, tea leaves, or the like, may be used in making a beverage with the disclosed device, whereby less coffee, tea, or the like, is necessary to obtain a beverage having the same degree of infusion, or strength of flavor, and whereby a necessary brewing time to make the beverage may be reduced, all without producing a beverage having undesired particulate matter remaining therein. 
     Particularly, pressurization of the solution resulting from the rotation of the confined beverage aids in the infusion of solution and extraction of flavorful and/or aromatic compounds from the particulate matter. This further enables a decrease in brewing time and/or a decrease in the amount of particulate matter necessary to achieve a similar level of infusion compared to conventional processes. 
     Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the present system and method is the ability to separate particulate matter from a beverage without a filter or screen, whereby adverse affect on the flavor and/or aroma of the beverage may be avoided. 
     Another feature and advantage of the present system and method is the ability to increase the yield of oils, other flavorful or aromatic compounds, and/or the like, by maintenance of the separation of particulate matter and such oils, other flavorful or aromatic compounds, and/or the like throughout the dispensing process, whereby separation, retention, absorption, and/or re-absorption of the oils, other flavorful or aromatic compounds, and/or the like may be avoided. 
     Yet another feature and advantage of the present system and method is the ability to allow use of smaller particulate material in brewing a beverage, thereby reducing a necessary amount of the material and/or reducing brewing times. 
     A further feature and advantage of the present system and method is the ability to brew a batch of a beverage simultaneously, whereby the entire batch exhibits a consistent flavor throughout. 
     These and other features and advantages of the system and method of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawing Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional perspective view of an exemplary system for brewing beverages; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternate system for brewing beverages according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of another alternate system for brewing beverages according to the present disclosure in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 4A  in a second configuration; and 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 4A  in a third configuration. 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the claimed invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In describing embodiments of the present system illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     In the embodiment chosen for purposes of illustration in  FIG. 1 , system  100  includes brewing chamber  110 , valve  120 , spout  130 , motor  140 , and housing  150 . As shown, brewing chamber  110  preferably includes circular side wall  111  and bottom wall  113  sealingly attached to a lower portion of side wall  111 . Bottom wall  113  preferably includes central opening  115  operable with valve  120  to selectively seal opening  115 . Plunger  117  is preferably further included and is sealingly engageable with an interior surface  111   a  of side wall  111  to enclose an upper portion of brewing chamber  110 . 
     As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, brewing chamber  110  may be formed of any suitable material, such as a food-grade plastic, a composite, a metal, or the like. The material should be selected to exhibit beneficial properties, such as high durability, ability to safely contain hot liquids, i.e. boiling or near-boiling water, or the like, corrosion resistance, non-stick surface(s), and the like. Particularly, weight and strength are important considerations because, as discussed in greater detail below, brewing chamber  110  will be rotated during operation, thus a low angular momentum is preferred, and because large forces are exerted on brewing chamber  110  when rotated at high rates; accordingly, metal is a preferred material. Furthermore, brewing chamber  110  is preferably removable from system  100  in order to facilitate cleaning thereof. For example, brewing chamber  110  preferably includes a mechanical fastening means for secure attachment to system  100  during operation, with a biased release means. 
     Plunger  117  may include one or more sealing element  117   a  adapted to engage side wall  111 , such as a gasket, o-ring, or the like, which preferably provides low-friction engagement of plunger  117  and side wall  111 , whereby depression of plunger  117  within side wall  111  is enabled. Such depression of plunger  117  preferably reduces an interior volume of brewing chamber  110 , and may be accomplished manually or with a prime mover, such as a screw drive, a piston, or the like. Operable air valve  118  is preferably provided in plunger  117  to allow air to move into and out of brewing chamber  110  during changes in the interior volume thereof, and is preferably closed to prevent escape of the beverage during rotation of brewing chamber  110 . Plunger  117  preferably further includes bearing member  119  adapted to receive a depression force. Bearing member  119  is preferably rotatably engaged with plunger  117 , whereby rotation between plunger  117  and bearing member  119  is enabled. Thus, a non-rotating element may engage bearing member  119  to apply the depression force while plunger  117  rotates with side wall  111  and bottom wall  113 . 
     Bottom wall  113  may include raised plateau  113   a  proximate and preferably encircling central opening  115 . Thus, as plunger  117  is depressed relative to side wall  111  until abuttingly engaging raised plateau  113   a , particulate matter, or the like, may accumulate in well  113   b , whereby such particulate matter may not be allowed to exit through central opening  115 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, raised plateau  113   a  may optionally be omitted, or a raised plateau may be provided on a bottom surface of plunger  117  as an addition to, or as an alternative to, plateau  113   a  formed on bottom wall  113 . Furthermore, plateau  113   a  and/or a plateau provided on plunger  117  may be formed by removable and stackable shims  190 , whereby a volume of well  113   b  may be adjusted to accommodate greater or lesser quantities of grounds, such as may be required in brewing batches of a beverage of different quantities. For example, each shim  190  may define a well  113   b  of adequate volume to retain an amount of coffee grounds necessary to brew one cup of coffee. Thus, attachment of additional shims will increase the volume of well  113   b  to accommodate an amount of coffee grounds necessary to brew a corresponding number of cups of coffee. 
     Valve  120  is preferably operable to selectively seal central opening  115  of bottom wall  113 , whereby liquid may be selectively contained within brewing chamber  110  for use in brewing a beverage. Valve  120  is preferably operable between an open state and a closed state, wherein central opening  115  is sealed when valve  120  is in the closed state. Manipulation of valve  120  to place it in the open state preferably allows a liquid contained in brewing chamber  110  to be evacuated through central opening  115  and dispensed via spout  130 . Accordingly, valve  120  preferably includes means for opening and closing, such as a mechanical actuator, an electric actuator, a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, a magnetic actuator, a pressure actuator, or the like. Preferably, valve  120  includes an inertial switch, or the like, whereby rotation of brewing chamber  110  at or above a predetermined rate causes valve  120  to open and to allow a beverage to be dispensed. 
     Motor  140  is preferably operable to rotate brewing chamber  110  at a selected rate, such as via sheaves  141 ,  143  and a belt (not shown), or directly, such as via a frameless motor (discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 2-3 ). Thus, motor  140  is preferably an electric motor, but may alternatively be a hydraulic or pneumatic motor, a hand crank, or the like, and is operable to output a driving force sufficient to rotate brewing chamber  110  at the selected rate. As shown in  FIG. 1 , motor  140  is formed as electric motor  145  having sheave  141  attached to an output shaft thereof. Sheave  143  is preferably fixedly mounted on spout  130 , which acts as an axle for rotation of brewing chamber  110 . Motor  145  may be securely carried by housing  150 , and sheaves  141 ,  143  are preferably disposed within housing  150 , whereby sheaves  141 ,  143  are protected from damage, and whereby access thereto is restricted. Spout  130  is preferably likewise securely carried by housing  150 , such as via bearings  151 ,  153 , whereby spout  130  may rotate relative to housing  150 . Bottom wall  113  is preferably fixedly attached to spout  130 , whereby rotation of spout  130  by motor  140  preferably causes rotation of brewing chamber  110 . 
     Alternatively, a frameless motor may be provided, whereby sheaves  141 ,  143  and bearing,  153  may be eliminated. The frameless motor may be carried directly by housing  150  and spout  130  or bottom wall  113  may be attached to a rotor of the frameless motor. In such an embodiment, bearing  151  allows for rotation of brewing chamber  110  relative to housing  150 . The compact design of an embodiment including a frameless motor may be preferable for consumer product applications, whereby exterior dimensions of system  100  may be reduced to suit counter-top use. 
     As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, controller  160  may be included to control one or more of motor  140 , plunger  117 , valve  120 , and/or other accessory or component, such as a timer, alarm, or the like. Controller  160  is mounted within housing  150  and may be manipulated by a user via one or more buttons  161  accessible from an exterior of housing  150 , via a remote control, or the like. Controller  160  is preferably formed as a microprocessor operable to generate control signals to each of motor  140 , a prime mover operable to control motion of plunger  117 , and valve  120  according to a computer program product stored on a storage medium, an input from a user, such as via a button, or the like. 
     In use, one or more shim  190  may be attached to plunger  117  and/or to bottom wall  113  to form raised plateau  113   a  and associated well  113   b  adapted to collect and retain a predetermined amount of coffee grounds and/or other substance. The predetermined amount of coffee grounds and/or other substance and hot water may be combined in brewing chamber  110  when valve  120  is in the closed state, whereupon the coffee grounds and the water may mix, and the water may be infused by the coffee grounds; i.e. coffee may be brewed within brewing chamber  110 . Plunger  117  may then be engaged with interior surface  111   a  of side wall  111  with air valve  118  in an open position. After a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed, motor  140  may be activated, thereby causing brewing chamber  110  to rotate at a selected rate of rotation. Valve  118  is preferably in a closed position during such rotation. 
     Rotation of brewing chamber  110  preferably causes a mixture of the water and coffee grounds to rotate at a desired rate, thereby causing separation of particulate matter and/or dissolved or suspended particles or compounds due to inertial force. Particularly, oils that separate from the coffee grounds during brewing preferably float on the surface of the water, while coffee bean particles above a predetermined size preferably accumulate proximate side wall  111 , particularly proximate a lower portion thereof, such as in well  113   b . After a second predetermined amount of time has elapsed, valve  120  may be manipulated to place valve  120  into the open state, whereafter the brewed coffee and oils, i.e. the liquid and dissolved or suspended particles or compounds smaller than the predetermined size, may pass through central opening  115 . Air valve  118  may be closed and plunger  117  may be depressed relative to side wall  111  until a desired amount of the brewed coffee and oils have been evacuated and dispensed via spout  130 . Separated coffee bean particles that accumulate proximate side wall  111  during rotation are preferably trapped in well  113   b  during depression of plunger  117 , whereby the particles may not escape brewing chamber  110 . Plunger  117  may then be raised and disengaged with side wall  111 , whereafter each of plunger  117  and brewing chamber  110  may be removed for cleaning. After cleaning, brewing chamber  110  and plunger  117  may be reattached for subsequent use. 
     In a preferred embodiment, controller  160  is operable to automate the brewing process described above. For example, a user may specify the desired brewing time, volume, and particle size, and combine appropriate amounts of hot water and coffee grounds within brewing chamber  110  and press “brew” button  161 . Controller  160  may then preferably cause plunger  117  to engage side wall  111  proximate an upper edge thereof to substantially seal brewing chamber  110 . Then controller  160  may determine when the first predetermined amount of time has elapsed. Controller  160  may then cause motor  140  to rotate brewing chamber  110  at a predetermined rate. Then controller  160  may determine when the second predetermined amount of time has elapsed, whereafter controller  160  may cause valve  120  to open. Controller may then cause plunger  117  to move a predetermined distance toward bottom wall  113  relative to side wall  111 , such as until plunger  117  abuts raised plateau  113   a . Controller  160  may then cause motor  140  to stop rotating brewing chamber  110 , and may disengage plunger  117  from sidewall  111 , such as by raising plunger  117  a distance greater than a height of sidewall  111 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , system  200  includes housing  210 , rotatable brewing chamber  220 , plunger  230 , plunger drive  240 , and chamber drive  250  adapted to brew beverages in a manner similar to that described above. 
     Specifically, housing  210  preferably includes a base, such as legs  211 , and cavity  215  adapted to receive chamber drive  250  therein. Legs  211  may, optionally, include elastic gasket  212  and/or non-slip grips  214  in order to reduce vibration and/or to provide a secure support. Housing  210  preferably further includes arms  217  and  218  adapted to engage and support hinged beam  219 . One or both of arms  217  and  218  may optionally include safety device  265  adapted to selectively prevent removal of brewing chamber  220  and/or plunger  230 , as described in greater detail below. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, legs  211  may be replaced by an enclosed base, or the like, if desired. Similarly, arms  217  and  218  and/or beam  219  may be replaced by or additionally include enclosing walls, baffles, or the like to prevent undesired contact of foreign bodies with chamber  220 , unwanted ejection of debris or liquid, or the like. 
     Chamber drive  250  preferably comprises a frameless motor and may be mounted within cavity  215  according to conventional methods, whereby outer ring  251  and inner ring  253  may cause rotation of seat  255  operable with bearing  257 . Specifically, seat  255  is supported by bearing  257  and carries inner ring  253  on a periphery thereof. Seat  255  preferably comprises a sloped inner aperture adapted to abuttingly receive tapered spout  225 . Thus, chamber  220 , including sidewall  221  and bottom  223  are preferably rotated via frictional engagement of spout  225  and seat  255 . Spout  225  is preferably retained in frictional engagement with seat  255  via threaded nut  227 , or other similar retaining member engaged with spout  225 , or the like. Spout  225  preferably further includes a fluid conduit disposed generally centrally therethrough to selectively allow a beverage or the like to be dispensed from brewing chamber  220 . Specifically, spout  225  preferably includes pressure-activated valve  229 . As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, one or more of sidewall  221 , bottom  223 , and spout  225  may be separately formed and joined according to conventional techniques, or may be integrally formed by molding, casting, machining, or the like. Regardless of construction, however, sidewall  221 , bottom  223 , spout  225  and/or valve  229  preferably prevent unwanted leakage or escape of liquid from brewing chamber  220 . 
     In order to further seal brewing chamber  220 , especially during use, plunger  230  is preferably selectively engageable with sidewall  221  via one or more seal  231 , such as one or more gasket or o-ring. Furthermore, plunger  230  preferably defines well  233  adapted to collect and trap particulate matter or the like, as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Well  233  is preferably configured to receive and retain an amount of particulate matter equal to or greater than an amount of particulate matter necessary to produce a quantity of beverage equal to the maximum capacity of brewing chamber  220 . One or more shim or filler member  235  may be engaged with plunger  230  in order to reduce a volume of well  233 , such as when a lesser quantity of beverage is desired, and a corresponding lesser amount of particulate matter is used. Additionally, plunger  230  may include one or more air valve  237  or the like, adapted to selectively allow and prevent air or other gas to escape brewing chamber  220  during depression and retraction of plunger  230  within brewing chamber  220 , such as may occur during initial plunger engagement with brewing chamber  220  and during plunger retraction after beverage dispensing. 
     Plunger  230  is preferably movable within brewing chamber  220  via drive  240 , including motor  241 , transmission linkage  243 , and bearing  245 . More specifically, motor  241  preferably comprises an electric motor operable to rotate output shaft  242 . Output shaft  242  is preferably operable with threaded shaft  243   a  via sheaves  243   b  and  243   c  and a cable, belt, chain, or the like (not shown). As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, gears or other force transmission means may be employed to convert a force generated by motor  241  to a force applied to threaded shaft  243   a , and motor  241  may take the form of a hand crank, a hydraulic or pneumatic drive, or the like. Threaded shaft  243   a  preferably includes oppositely threaded portions  244  and  246  operable with arms  247 . Thus, when motor  241  rotates output shaft  242 , threaded shaft  243   a  rotates causing opposing motion of arms  247 , i.e. motion of arms  247  towards one another or away from one another, thereby lowering or raising plunger  230 , respectively. 
     Such raising of plunger  230  is preferably sufficient to completely disengage plunger  230  from brewing chamber  220 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In order for a user to open brewing chamber  220 , such as for removal, cleaning, addition of water, addition of coffee, addition of tea, or the like, hinged beam  219  may be rotated upwardly about hinge  261 , thereby exposing brewing chamber  220 . Hinged beam  219  preferably further includes one or more releasable fastener  263 , such as a clip, threaded fastener, or the like, adapted to selectively prevent rotation of hinged beam  219 . Such releasable fastener  263  preferably locks hinged beam  219  in a use position, wherein lowering plunger  230  may create a pressure within brewing chamber  220 , and wherein such lowering will not result in raising hinged beam  219 . 
     In use, a beverage may be brewed by a user in brewing chamber  220  by first raising plunger  230  to a raised position, preferably disengaged with brewing chamber  220 . Thereafter, the user may release releasable fastener(s)  263  and raise beam  219  to expose brewing chamber  220 . The user may then combine a selected amount of liquid, such as water, corresponding to a desired amount of beverage along with a corresponding amount of substance to produce the beverage. Once combined, the user may close brewing chamber  220  by lowering beam  219 , engaging releasable fastener(s)  263  and engaging plunger  230 . As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, the brewing chamber may include volume indications for facilitating addition of the desired amount of water, or, more preferably, may include an integrated hot water dispenser adapted to dispense a selected amount of water at a selected temperature automatically. Additionally, the brewing chamber may include a heater to raise a temperature of the chamber to prevent or reduce cooling of the water upon introduction to the brewing chamber. After allowing a desired amount of time to pass, whereby the substance may steep in, or infuse the liquid, the user may engage safety  265  and begin rotating brewing chamber  220  at a desired rate. After rotation of brewing chamber  220  at the desired rate for a desired amount of time, whereafter particulate matter and compounds having a size, weight, or density above a predetermined threshold have substantially been separated and disposed proximate sidewall  221 , the user may lower plunger  230  to force liquid out of brewing chamber  220  via valve  229  and spout  225 . Preferably, valve  237  allows trapped air to escape therethrough during such lowering, but prevents liquid from escaping therethrough. Furthermore, during such lowering, substantially all separated particulate matter and/or compounds are trapped in well  233 . 
     In order to clean system  200 , or in order to brew more beverage, the user may raise plunger  230 , wherein valve  237  and/or valve  229  preferably allows air to enter to reduce negative pressure caused by increasing the volume contained by brewing chamber  220  and plunger  230 . After releasing safety  265 , the user may disengage plunger  230  from sidewall  221 . The user may then expose brewing chamber  220  via releasing fastener(s)  263  and raising beam  219 . Nut  227  may then be disengaged from spout  225 , whereafter chamber  220 , including spout  225 , may be disengaged from seat  255  for cleaning and reuse. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, one or more of the foregoing steps may be accomplished via suitable control means, such as an electronic control device, a wireless control device, an automatic control device, or the like. Additionally, and particularly when a hot water dispenser is included, the brewing chamber may be rinsed without removal for cleaning. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , system  200  may include an automatic cleaning feature, whereby coffee grounds or other particulate matter, or the like, collected in well  233  may be removed automatically. Additionally, if a water dispenser is included, the coffee grounds or other particulate matter may be rinsed out of well  233 , thereby facilitating cleaning of system  200 . Specifically, sidewall  221  of brewing chamber  220  may optionally include a plurality of apertures  221   a  disposed generally proximate bottom  223  for allowing such coffee grounds or the like to exit brewing chamber  220 . Additionally, plunger  270 , having seals  271  disposed about a circumference thereof, and depending stem  272  may be included within brewing chamber  220  and extending into and operable with stem  225   a  depending from bottom  223 . Plunger  270  may further include spout  275 , extending generally centrally from plunger  270  and within stem  272 , for conducting fluid, such as a beverage, out from brewing chamber  220 . Valve  279  operable with spout  275  may be included to control release of fluid from brewing chamber  220 , such as described above with respect to valve  229 . 
     In operation, brewing chamber  220  may be used to brew a beverage in the manner described above. That is to say, plunger  230  may be depressed to dispense a beverage from brewing chamber via valve  279  and spout  275  while trapping particulate matter within well  233  between plunger  230 , plunger  270 , and sidewall  221 . As plunger  230  reaches and engages plunger  270 , plunger  230  preferably releases lock  280 , operable to selectively permit or prevent depression of plunger  270 . Specifically, plunger  230  may depress pins  281  which in turn may depress ring  282  to align one or more depression(s)  283  with apertures  273  of stem  272 , whereby beads  285  may move into depression(s)  283  to allow stem  272  to slide within stem  225   a . Thus, when plunger  230  depresses pins  281 , plunger  270  may be depressed under a force applied by plunger  230  (such as a force applied by motor  241 ) such that well  233  is disposed proximate openings  221   a  to allow particulate matter to exit well  233  via openings  221   a  and collect within trough  291  of collecting chamber  290 . 
     When pins  281  are not depressed, however, sliding movement of stem  272  within stem  225   a  is substantially prevented by lock  280  by beads  285  disposed partially within one or more depression  225   b . Biasing devices  287  and  288  may be provided to bias plunger  270  and pins  281  and ring  282  upwardly, whereby plunger  270  is sealingly engaged with sidewall  221  at a location above apertures  221   a  and with spout  275  locked within stem  225   a . For example, biasing device  287  may be formed as a compression spring disposed against shoulder  223   a  of bottom  223  of chamber  220 , or the like, and biasing device  288  may be formed as a compression spring disposed against retainer  289  engaged with stem  272  and having aperture  289   a  formed therethough to allow liquid to flow therethrough from spout  275 . As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, collecting chamber  290  may be quickly and easily removed for cleaning and disposal of collected particulate matter. Additionally, trough  291  may be configured having a volume substantially greater than a volume of well  233 . 
     Spout  276  may be included proximate aperture  289   a  to reduce any tangential velocity of the fluid exiting through aperture  289   a  to reduce spray and/or splashing of the fluid. Additionally, spout  276  may include two nozzles  276   a , whereby fluid may be simultaneously dispensed into separate containers, or into a single container, as desired. 
     Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the inertial separation techniques described above may be employed in conjunction with conventional mechanical separation techniques, if desired, and other methods of dispensing the beverage may be employed, such as extracting the beverage via a conduit penetrating the plunger under suction or solely due to pressure within the brewing chamber. Furthermore, axial rotation of the brewing chamber to accelerate the liquid is not necessary and may be replaced with other acceleration, such as rotation of an arm about a first end where the brewing chamber is connected to a second end of the arm. Similarly, other materials may be selected, such as forming the brewing chamber from a suitable ceramic material. Additionally, while the system has been described in the context of brewing beverages, non-brewed beverages may be prepared by separation of particulate matter from solution, such as with decanting wine, separating pulp from juice, or the like. Likewise, while the system has been described as a single brewing chamber unit, an industrial version may include a plurality of brewing chambers, each including associated motors, spouts, and controls, arranged within a common housing to enable brewing of greater quantities of beverage and/or different beverages simultaneously. A vending machine version is also contemplated wherein associated systems, such as a hot water dispensing system, automated brewing controls for water dispensing, rotation rate, and brewing duration, a coffee grinder and/or dispenser, and the like. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0