Dispensing apparatus and method of dispensing

A dispensing apparatus, comprising:

• a hopper having an outlet at its lower end thereof;
• a first auger comprising a first hollow shaft having auger flights along at least part of the exterior of the shaft positioned within the hopper so as to feed at regular intervals at a first desired rate in use, a first component within the hopper to the outlet when rotated;
• a first drive means for rotating the first hollow shaft;
• a dispenser for supplying at a second desired rate a second component through the first hollow shaft to the outlet;
• second auger disposed within the first hollow shaft and a second drive means for rotating the second auger for conveying the second component through the first hollow shaft wherein the second auger includes a second hollow shaft for conveying a third component therethrough, and;
• a packaging device at the outlet for packaging the first, second and third components in a package, wherein the packaging device comprises a mechanism for forming a flexible film pouch around the outlet and sealing mechanism for sealing the pouch closed after a desired amount of the first, second, and third components has been delivered to the pouch.

A method of dispensing a first component and a second component comprising the steps of:

• supplying the first component to a hopper having an outlet at its lower end and operatively connected to a first auger comprising a first hollow shaft having exterior auger flights extending from the outlet end to the interior of the hopper;
• rotating at regular intervals the first hollow shaft to feed the first component from the hopper to the outlet at a first desired rate;
• and
• supplying the second component or liquid via a liner within the first hollow shaft to the outlet at a second desired rate;
• and
• supplying the first and second component to a packaging device at the outlet for packaging the first and second components in a package, wherein the packaging comprises forming a flexible film pouch around the outlet and sealing the pouch closed after a desired amount of the first and second components has been delivered to the pouch.