Patent ID: 8029184

Claim:
A method for a consumer preparing and dispensing an oil and water containing emulsion comprising one or more post-added ingredients using an apparatus comprising a frame, said apparatus further comprising a source unit (a) comprising reservoirs ( 1 ) for a plurality of base components, said reservoirs ( 1 ) including an oil phase reservoir, an aqueous phase reservoir, and, optionally, an emulsifier reservoir; selection means for selecting the desired base components and/or their ratio; a pre-mixer ( 3 ) for preparing an emulsified base from the base components; a source unit (b) for post-added ingredients (b 1 ) wherein the post-added ingredients are arranged in at least two families; selection means for selecting the desired post-added ingredients; processing means ( 2 ) comprising dedicated mixing means ( 6 ) for each family of post-added ingredients, said mixing means being suitable for mixing the emulsified base and the post-added ingredients; a dispensing unit ( 7 ) for dispensing the resulting oil and water emulsion; said method comprising the steps of: (i) the consumer, to whom the apparatus has been provided for use, placing a container beneath the dispensing unit ( 7 ); (ii) the consumer choosing the type of product, amount and variety; (iii) the pre-mixer ( 3 ) mixing the selected base components to form an emulsified base, and the base so formed being dosed from the pre-mixer into the dedicated mixing means for the selected family of post-added ingredients; (iv) the mixing means mixing the base and the selected post added ingredients; and (v) the dispensing unit dispensing the resulting oil and water emulsion into the container; wherein the volume ratio of the volume of the emulsion that is dispensed to that of the mixing means is at least 5:1.