Patent ID: 7028448

Claim:
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, wherein the first hollow shaft includes a hollow liner for conveying the second component there through, and; a packaging device at the outlet for packaging the first and second 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 and second components has been delivered to the pouch.