Reconfigurable beverage preparation machine

A kit of parts for assembly into a beverage preparation machine, the kit of parts comprising:

• a beverage preparation module, a first module, and a second module;
• the beverage preparation module comprising an extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from a capsule supplied to the beverage preparation module or an ingredient container which is part of the beverage preparation module;
• a fluid supply comprising a fluid heater, a fluid pump, and a fluid reservoir;
• wherein the first module comprises a first connection configured to movably connect the first module to the beverage preparation module, the first connection extending from a top or a bottom of the beverage preparation module to a top or a bottom of the first module,
• the second module comprises a second connection configured to movably connect the second module to the first module, the second connection extending from the top or the bottom of the first module to a top or a bottom of the second module,
• the first module comprising a fluid pump and/or a fluid heater, the second module comprising a component of the fluid supply different to those of the first module including at least one of the fluid pump, the fluid heater or the fluid reservoir, whereby the first connection and the second connection are configured to maintain an operational functionality between the beverage preparation module, the first module, and the second module while the first module and second module are moved between a plurality of positions,
• wherein at least one of the first connection or the second connection comprises a pivoted connection such that the beverage preparation module, the first module and the second module are arrangeable in an infinite number of positions, and moving at least one of the first module or the second module relative to the beverage preparation module while operational functionality between the beverage preparation module, the first module, and the second module is maintained throughout the movement.

A method of reconfiguring the arrangement of a beverage preparation machine, the method comprising:

• providing a beverage preparation module comprising:
• an extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from a capsule supplied to the beverage preparation module or an ingredient container which is part of the beverage preparation module;
• a fluid supply comprising a fluid heater, a fluid pump, and a fluid reservoir;
• a first module comprising a first connection configured to movably connect the first module to the beverage preparation module, the first connection extending from a top or a bottom of the beverage preparation module to a top or a bottom of the first module;
• and
• the beverage preparation machine further comprises a second module comprising a second connection configured to movably connect the second module to the first module, the second connection extending from the top or the bottom of the first module to a top or a bottom of the second module,
• the first module comprising the fluid pump and/or the fluid heater, the second module comprising a component of the fluid supply different to those of the first module including at least one of the fluid pump, the fluid heater or the fluid reservoir, whereby the first connection and the second connection are configured to maintain an operational functionality between the beverage preparation module, the first module, and the second module while the first and second modules are moved between a plurality of positions,
• wherein at least one of the first connection or the second connection comprises a pivoted connection such that the beverage preparation module, the first module and the second module are arrangeable in an infinite number of positions;
• and
• moving at least one of the first module or the second module relative to the beverage preparation module while operational functionality between the beverage preparation module, the first module, and the second module is maintained throughout the movement.