Modular system with small footprint autonomous module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for producing a beverage from portioned ingredients provided within a capsule or pod, the system including a base station including a (e.g. removable) water reservoir of large capacity, and an autonomous beverage preparation module including an extraction head and being removably connectable to the base station from an autonomous-use mode to docked-use mode. The autonomous module includes a water inlet connection member. The autonomous module and the base station respectively include matching positioning members which engage when the beverage preparation module is connected to the base station in the docked position, and the system includes alternative water supply members and water outlet connection members adapted for connecting to the water inlet connection member of the module for supplying water to the module when the module is in the autonomous-use mode.

1 . A system for producing a beverage from portioned ingredients provided within a capsule or pod, the system comprising:
 a base station comprising a water reservoir;   an autonomous beverage preparation module comprising an extraction head and being removably connectable to the base station from an autonomous-use mode to a docked-use mode;   the autonomous module comprises a water inlet connection;   the autonomous module and the base station respectively comprise matching positioning members which engage when the beverage preparation module is connected to the base station in the docked position; and   an alternative water supply and water outlet connection adapted for connecting to the water inlet connection of the module for supplying water to the module when the module is in the autonomous-use mode.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning are designed to position the beverage preparation module on the base station such that a drip tray of the base station is positioned vertically below a liquid outlet of the module. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternative water supply comprises a liquid reservoir connectable to the module and having a water capacity smaller than the water reservoir of the base station. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternative water supply comprises a flexible water drawing tube and a water outlet connection connected to the inlet connection, the tube being unfoldable for assuring a temporary fluid connection of the module to an external water supply source. 
     
     
         5 . A modular system for producing a beverage from portioned ingredients provided within a capsule or pod, the system comprising:
 at least one base station comprising a water reservoir;   an autonomous beverage preparation module comprising an extraction head and being removably connectable to the base station from an autonomous-use mode to a docked-use mode;   and   the base station comprising at least one functional accessory providing additional functions to the system selected from the group consisting of a digital data communication terminal, a media player, a low-voltage charging terminal for mobile devices and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         6 . The modular system according to  claim 5 , comprising a selection of at least two base stations comprising at least one different functional accessory associated with each one. 
     
     
         7 . The modular system according to  claim 5 , comprising additional functional accessories selected from the group consisting of a cup heater, a water chilling device, a milk frother, a sweetener dispenser, spoon dispenser and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A beverage device comprising:
 a body having a recess for receiving a small-capacity reservoir in a storage mode, the reservoir being displaceable from its storage mode into a water connection mode to a water inlet of the body, and the device having a smaller footprint in the storage mode than in the water connection mode.