Apparatus and method for dispensing doses of flavouring

A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring, the flavouring dispenser comprising:

• a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring;
• a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber;
• a reciprocating member movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member, wherein the reciprocating member comprises a separating surface, which acts to close the dosing member opening so as to isolate it from the flavouring chamber, and further comprises a body extending away from the separating surface, the body acting to displace flavouring within the flavouring chamber as the reciprocating member moves between the open and closed positions;
• wherein the dosing member further defines a second opening to the dosing volume, through which flavouring is dispensed from the dosing volume, and further comprising a dispensing member configured to selectively open and close the second opening;
• wherein the first open position of the reciprocating member is adjustable to select from a continuous range of possible first open positions in order to change a range of the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member such that the degree to which the opening is exposed to the flavouring chamber may be changed so as to adjust the amount of flavouring received in the dosing volume;
• and
• further comprising a motorized bi-directional drive system adapted to move the reciprocating member in a reciprocating manner between the closed position and the first open position, wherein the range of the reciprocating motion imparted by the motorized bi-directional drive system is adjustable within a continuous range to adjust the first open position of the reciprocating member from the continuous range of possible first open positions, and wherein the motorized bi-directional drive system is adapted to repeatedly move the reciprocating member in a reciprocating manner between the closed position and the first open position so as to repeatedly dispense doses of flavouring of the same size.