Rotary Drums Or Receptacles Patents (Class 118/418)
  • Patent number: 11148157
    Abstract: A coating apparatus and method are disclosed for coating tablets with a film, in which the tables transit through a drilled first container where they are coated, then exit the first container and are removed from a rotating element provided on the periphery of a plurality of removal members that are spaced angularly apart from one another, in which each removal member removes a quantity of tablets, raises the removed tables as far as a certain height and then discharges the tablets into a chute that conveys the tablets into a second rotating drilled container, with delicate transfer of the coated tablets from one container to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Nicola Gandolfi, Gjergj Darragjati
  • Patent number: 10201820
    Abstract: A system for heating, coating, cooling and screening a granular substrate is provided. The system, such as an apparatus for continuous coating granular particles, includes a preheater apparatus for heating granular particles, a rotary drum having an inlet horizontally coupled to the preheater for receiving heated granular particles directly from the fluidized bed preheater, a coating apparatus positioned within the drum for applying a coating to the heated granular particles, and a cooling apparatus positioned horizontally in association with the drum for cooling the granular particles subsequent to coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: NOUS, LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Forsythe
  • Patent number: 9920185
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for modifying the surface energy of particles using a reactive gas or reactive energetic species generated in an excited and/or unstable gas stream is provided. The apparatus and process incorporates a process container, a portion of which is movable and having a shape in which the particles are tumbled during exposure to the energetic species. The resulting surface treatment allows the energy modified particles to be more easily dispersed in a liquid medium with a reduction in the occurrence of particle agglomeration or flocculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Powder Treatment Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Rolf Thierry, Frank Thierry, George Osenga
  • Patent number: 9631314
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drum type laundry machine, including a casing, a control panel, an outer drum, an inner drum, a water inlet system, a water drainage system, a driving system, washing balls, a storage chamber disposed on the bottom of the outer drum, a circulation piping system connecting the storage chamber with the inner drum, and an outlet of the circulation pipe system leading to the inner drum and provided on an annular opening of the inner drum. The washing procedure of the laundry process described herein also includes a washing step while the washing balls circulate in the inner and outer drum, and a collecting step of the washing balls. The drum type laundry machine of the present invention can save water and electricity and can reduce pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Xeros Limited
    Inventors: Fengfu Yin, Hailong Wang, Zhenyu Liu, Xiaodong Zhou, Baoliang Du
  • Patent number: 9446413
    Abstract: A planetary mill is disclosed. The planetary mill comprises a self-balancing milling assembly comprising a pair of elongate floating milling chambers arranged in parallel to and on opposite sides of a main axis wherein the milling chambers are free to move outwards in a direction radial to the main axis, a drive assembly for rotating the milling assembly in a first direction of rotation about the main axis, and at least one of belt surrounding the pair of floating milling chambers such that when the milling assembly rotates about the main axis, the at least one belt limits a radial travel outwards of each of the milling chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: N-WERKZ INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Blanchard, Tony Addona, George E. Kim
  • Patent number: 8978576
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, Jr., Peter Thomas Kashulines, Jr., Thomas C. Britt, K. Ressie Cavenaugh
  • Publication number: 20140251215
    Abstract: An exchangeable cartridge system for use with a production coater for coating a material with a solution or a suspension. The exchangeable cartridge system includes an integrated drum and exhaust plenum, the drum is connectable with a motor of the production coater and the exhaust plenum is connectable with an exhaust duct of the production coater. The exchangeable cartridge system provides for simple exchange of drums having a wide range of production capacities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. PILIPAUSKAS, Michael Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8671872
    Abstract: A coater for coating a material with a solution or a suspension includes an access door and a process port separately openable within a housing. A rotating coating drum is removably connected with respect to the coater and the coater is configured for exchange of drums having a wide range of production capacities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Pilipauskas, Shawn Garcia, Jean Y. Le Floc'h
  • Patent number: 8671877
    Abstract: A measuring unit 13 is provided inside a rotary drum 11. The measuring unit 13 is provided with a light transmitting member 13a and an optical sensor 13b that are provided at the central region on the inner wall of the other end portion 11b. When particles are subjected to a coating treatment, information as to the properties (such as the coating thickness, the moisture, the coating performance, and the impurity) of the particles of a particle layer A being brought into contact with the surface of the light transmitting member 13a is measured on a real-time basis by the NIR sensor 13b via the light transmitting member 13a. The data is processed by the processing unit of the NRI spectroscopic analyzer to thereby perform monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Powrex
    Inventors: Koji Hasegawa, Takuya Nagato, Koh Matsui
  • Patent number: 8662007
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for continuously coating cores by means of a dragée-making apparatus (15) comprising at least one rotatably driven drum (1) in which the product (5) is coated with one or several coating materials or is subjected to other treatment processes, such as spraying, drying. In order to be able to individually treat several small charges within a very limited space and with little effort regarding machines, the charge of the product that is to be processed is divided into small individual charges at the inlet end of the drum, is conveyed through the drum in a clocked manner, and is treated in individual treatment chambers (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in the drum, which are separated from each other. The longitudinal conveyor (3) that conveys the individual charges through the drum embodies the individual treatment chambers in connection with the inner wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Driam Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Dunajtschik, Oliver Nohynek
  • Publication number: 20140033779
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for coating substrates. In particular, the invention relates to methods and systems in which the coating and curing steps are performed in separate vessels. These methods and systems provide a more effectively controlled and efficient coating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicants: EVERRIS INTERNATIONAL B.V., OMS INVESTMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Marcus A. Bertin, Laurence G. Dammann, Robert M.A. Radabaugh, Arthur R. Shirley, JR., Willem L.C. van Pol
  • Patent number: 8555805
    Abstract: A spray gun (31) is attached to a multi-function unit (32) movable in a horizontal direction and a perpendicular direction. The spray gun (31) is mounted to a support holder (33), and the support holder (33) is connected to a support arm (35) of the multi-function unit (32). The support arm (35) is attached to a unit cover (36) which is openable/closable with respect to a casing (2). The support holder (33) and the support arm (35) can hide and house a liquid hose and an air hose therein so that the hoses and the like are arranged in an apparatus in such a state as to be completely free from being exposed. An installation position of the spray gun (31) can be finely adjusted by the multi-function unit (32) during a coating process, thereby enabling a control for keeping constant distances between tablet surfaces and the spray gun (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Freund Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoyo Fusejima, Takuya Nakamura, Takashi Terada, Shigemi Isobe
  • Patent number: 8541309
    Abstract: A processing assembly for a semiconductor workpiece generally includes a rotor assembly capable of spinning a workpiece, a chemistry delivery assembly for delivering chemistry to the workpiece, and a chemistry collection assembly for collecting spent chemistry from the workpiece. The chemistry collection assembly includes a weir assembly surrounding the rotor assembly and having a plurality of weirs. Methods for processing a semiconductor workpiece generally include moving at least one of the rotor assembly and the weir assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Rye, Kyle M. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8298742
    Abstract: In a method for coating electrophotographic carrier core surfaces with a resin composition by rotating a rotator having a plurality of agitating blades on its surface in a casing; a coating treatment material that is introduced to a space defined between the rotator and the casing is in a packing of from 50% to 98% by volume; at the time of coating treatment, the electrophotographic carrier core surfaces are coat-treated with the resin composition while being put forward and put backward; and the electrophotographic carrier cores and the resin composition are, at the time of coating treatment, temperature-controlled at a specific temperature T (° C.) or below. This method enables the electrophotographic carrier core surfaces to be more uniformly coated with a coating resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Okamoto, Yoshinobu Baba, Koh Ishigami, Tomoko Endo
  • Publication number: 20120192788
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing glass fiber granules includes an applicator for applying a binder composition to the chopped strand segments; and a granulating assembly for imparting a cascading pseudo-helical action to the chopped strand segments. The granulating assembly includes a plurality of scoops positioned in a pattern within a rotating drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: OCV INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bernadette F. Taquet, Christophe G. Leruth, Pierre A. Pertoldi
  • Patent number: 8178161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a coated product comprising: (a) coating a substrate with a coating material to form a coated substrate; and (b) stabilizing the coated substrate to form the coated product; wherein the operating parameter of substrate-substrate contact and coated substrate-coated substrate contact differs between step a) and step b), such that in step b) the contact is minimized. An apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Agrium Inc.
    Inventors: Baozhong Xing, J. David Eastham, Nick P. Wynnyk
  • Patent number: 8161904
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dry coating solid dosage forms. The method includes the steps of placing solid dosage forms in a rotatable, electrically grounded housing, and spraying a film forming polymer powder composition into the housing during rotation thereof to form a polymer coating on the solid dosage forms, the polymer powder composition being sprayed using an electrostatic spray gun, and curing the coated solid dosage forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Western Ontario
    Inventors: Jiangxu Zhu, Yanfeng Luo, Ying Liang Ma, Hui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8132528
    Abstract: Described is a rotary pan (1) of the type comprising a central hollow cylindrical body (3) with end portions (4, 4?) shaped substantially like truncated cones, and mixing/deflecting means (7) attached to at least one inside surface of the pan (1) itself; the peripheral inside cylindrical surface (5) of the hollow body (3) comprises an extended zone (A) defined by a uniform distribution of through holes (6) and at least one zone (B) within the zone (A) forming an area by which the mixing/deflecting means (7) are attached or fixed to the peripheral surface (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Gandolfi, Roberto Trebbi
  • Patent number: 8001920
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating or breading food products, such as chicken parts, includes a rotating drum with end caps closing the loading and discharge ends of the drum. Apertures are defined in the end caps for the passage of the food product, in which the apertures are situated along the central axis of the drum. A spiral grate inside the drum receives the food product and conveys it toward the discharge end. The spiral grate supports the food product proximate the central axis so that the product is more fully and uniformly coated with the particulate material. The spiral grate is configured with a gap at the discharge end so that a portion of a discharge ramp may be disposed within the gap to receive the prepared food product for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: AYR-KING Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. King, James Bell, Chad Harned
  • Patent number: 7980194
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a surface coating composition for an animal food. The process involves combining, in-line along a food processing line, liquid fat and a dry additive to provide a liquid fat-dry additive composition, which then is combined with a liquid additive to provide a surface coating composition. The composition is coated on the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Avtar Sokhey, Katherine P. Boebel
  • Patent number: 7955643
    Abstract: Continuously coating cores by a dragee-making apparatus including at least one rotatably driven drum in which the product is coated with one or several coating materials or is subjected to other treatment processes. The charge of the product to be processed divided into small individual charges at the inlet end of the drum is conveyed through the drum in a clocked manner and treated in individual treatment chambers separated from each other. The longitudinal conveyor that conveys the individual charges through the drum embodies the individual treatment chambers in connection with the inner wall of the drum. The products to be treated constantly rotate in the revolving drum without being conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal conveyor located in the drum conveying the product from one treatment station to the next as required. A passage is formed from one chamber to the adjacent, other chamber if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Driam Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Dunajtschik, Oliver Nohynek
  • Publication number: 20100244300
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to foamed binders for wood strand products and methods and systems for producing wood strand products using foamed binders. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a method for producing a wood strand product from cellulosic particles, the method comprising the steps of foaming a phenol formaldehyde binder to produce a foam, tumbling the cellulosic particles in a rotary blender, applying the foam to the cellulosic particles in the rotary blender, blending the cellulosic particles and the foam so that the foam covers the cellulosic particles, and consolidating the cellulosic particles under heat and pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Yancey, Travis E. Bjorkman, Jack G. Winterowd
  • Patent number: 7798092
    Abstract: A process for treating a particulate material is described, comprising the steps of filling the material into a container, the container having a base, an upright wall widening from bottom to top, and a deflection element adjoining the wall in an upper region of the container, moving the material in the container in a continuous circulatory movement along the base to the wall and along the wall upward by rotating the wall about a vertical axis of rotation, and moving the material along the deflection element by an air stream, which is introduced substantially from bottom to top through at least one air gap in a transition region from the wall to the deflection element and, in a region adjacent to the air gap, substantially tangentially with respect to the course of at least one of the wall and the deflection element. Further an apparatus for carrying out the process is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Herbert Hüttlin
  • Patent number: 7781010
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating medical devices at the point of care with a polymer and/or therapeutic agent comprising an environmentally controlled device coating chamber in which the device may be delivered by the manufacturer as the device packaging, or the device may be placed into the chamber at the point of care. The environmentally controlled chamber can provide a sterile enclosure in which the polymer and/or a therapeutic agent can be applied to an uncoated or previously coated device and converted to another form (such as a liquid to a film or gel) if desired, under controlled and reproducible conditions. The environmentally controlled chamber can accommodate and provide for coating the device by immersion, spray and other methods of covering the device surface with a liquid or powder. The chamber can provide for energy sources, both internally, such as heat produced by film heaters, and externally, such as UV light or microwave passing through the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Marian L. Larson, Eugene A. Larson
  • Patent number: 7739979
    Abstract: A tumble breading system for applying a breading material to a food includes a housing designating an internal clean area, and an infeed belt for conveying the breading material and the food, arranged across the infeed belt in an infeed order, into the clean area. A rotary assembly with a plurality of vertically offset, rotating tumblers accepts and tumbles the food with the breading material as the tumblers rotate, to bread the food. An output belt accepts the breaded food from the tumblers and conveys the breaded foods from the clean area and the housing. The food arrives at the output belt in substantially the infeed order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Dean Brady, Sr., Quentin Duane Pendergrass
  • Patent number: 7682656
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a coated product comprising: (a) coating a substrate with a coating material to form a coated substrate; and (b) stabilizing the coated substrate to form the coated product; wherein the operating parameter of substrate-substrate contact and coated substrate-coated substrate contact differs between step a) and step b), such that in step b) the contact is minimized. An apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Agruim Inc.
    Inventors: Baozhong Xing, J. David Eastham, Nick P. Wynnyk
  • Patent number: 7614359
    Abstract: The rotating drum 2 rotates around an axial line A that is inclined to the horizontal at a present angle ?. Process gas flows in the rotating a drum 2 from an air vent 7a of an air duct 7 through an air inlet 5 at one end of the rotating drum 2, passes through a layer of granules 11, and flows out into an air outlet duct 8 through an air vent 21a of a first disc plate 21 and a connection hole 22a in a second disc plate 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Powrex
    Inventors: Koji Hasegawa, Hiroshi Matsuura, Tetsuya Murakami, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7585369
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating medical devices at the point of care with a polymer and/or therapeutic agent comprising an environmentally controlled device coating chamber in which the device may be delivered by the manufacturer as the device packaging, or the device may be placed into the chamber at the point of care. The environmentally controlled chamber can provide a sterile enclosure in which the polymer and/or a therapeutic agent can be applied to an uncoated or previously coated device and converted to another form (such as a liquid to a film or gel) if desired, under controlled and reproducible conditions. The environmentally controlled chamber can accommodate and provide for coating the device by immersion, spray and other methods of covering the device surface with a liquid or powder. The chamber can provide for energy sources, both internally, such as heat produced by film heaters, and externally, such as UV light or microwave passing through the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventors: Marian L. Larson, Eugene A Larson
  • Patent number: 7464661
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a layered seasoning to snack food products such as potato chips or tortilla chips using a vibratory scarf plate that is divided into two or more sections by one or more walls. A different seasoning is placed in each section. The scarf plate is placed into a rotating drum having snack food product. A seasoning from each section falls off the scarf plate to form a curtain. Each curtain provides a layer of seasoning on the snack food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Andries Baas, Michael Rajendra Kalika Singh
  • Publication number: 20080271668
    Abstract: A protrusion (21b) is formed on a central region of an inner surface (21c) of a first disc plate (21) constituting an end on an inclined lower side of a rotating drum (2). Particles (11) in the vicinity of the other end (first disc plate (21)), which are lifted forward in a rotational direction as the rotation drum (2) rotates, are brought into contact with a surface of the protrusion (21b) when the particles (11) flow backward in the rotational direction due to their own weights. Then, the particles (11) are guided by the surface of the protrusion (21b) to thereby flow toward the inclined upper side. As a result, a stagnation phenomenon of the particles (11) in the vicinity of the other end (first disc plate (21)) is less likely to occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Koji Hasegawa, Yuichi Nakano, Hiroshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7395777
    Abstract: A machine (100) for the treatment of pharmaceutical products (P) comprises a pan (2) that revolves about an axis of rotation (X) and a dispensing unit (3) designed to disperse a coating material inside the pan (2) over a mass (M) of the products (P) located in the pan (2). The pan (2) has an opening (7) for feeding the products to be treated (P) into the pan (2), and an opening (8) for feeding the products (PT) already treated with the coating material out of the pan (2), the infeed opening (7) and the outfeed opening (8) being separate and independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Trebbi
  • Patent number: 7322217
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine in which wash water fed to a tub via a water supply pipe is directly supplied into a drum. The washing machine includes a housing, a tub arranged in the housing to contain wash water therein, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a water supply pipe adapted to supply wash water into the tub, and a water supply guide unit provided at the tub, to guide the wash water from the water supply pipe to be directly supplied into the drum. Since the wash water is directly supplied into the drum, laundry contained in the drum is wetted by the wash water, immediately after the supply of the wash water. Thus, it is possible to reduce the wash time for the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koan Seog Namkung, Hyun Sook Kim, Hyoung Hoon Roh
  • Patent number: 7198674
    Abstract: The invention concerns a coating drum (60) for a single drum or, as the case may be, a multi-drum circulating coating device. The inside of the drum is subdivided into two rotation-symmetrical drum chambers (61 and 62) via a separating wall (67), which chambers are fillable with equal dispensed amounts of small parts through oppositely lying openings (73) of the drum casing (63). The openings (73) are closeable via lids or covers (68) provided pivotable on the drum (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ernst Reinhardt GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Schaeuble
  • Patent number: 7179332
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for adding glue to a flow (L) of loose wooden material, in particular a flow of wood chips and fibers, in which the wooden material is introduced through an inlet (3) into a mixer device (4). The glue is sprayed onto the flow of wooden material, internally of the mixer device (4), by nozzles (21) arranged in proximity of the inlet (3). The mixer device (4) is crossed by a flow of hot air. The wooden material, mixed with the glue, after having crossed the mixer device, drawn by the flow of hot air, is removed via an outlet (10) and sent on to subsequent work operations. The invention serves in particular in the manufacturing of wood-chip and fiber panels. The panels obtained are of high quality, being practically devoid of surface imperfections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: IMAL S.r.l.
    Inventor: Paolo Benedetti
  • Patent number: 7011038
    Abstract: A food breading machine includes a lowerable cage carrier grate of two grids between which the cutlet resides. The cage supports a meat, fish or vegetable cutlet thereon, which descends into a first basin having a bath of raw egg fluid. The egg saturated product is then lifted and horizontally rotated in a plane to an adjacent basin having bread crumbs. The device can have a manually rotatable knob at the top to control flipping, or it can be automated. A protective transparent domed hood is also included. The parts are disassembled so that they can be washed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Louis Patsalos
  • Patent number: 7007594
    Abstract: A vacuum tumbler for marinating food products within a liquid. The vacuum tumbler comprises a container having an interior wall, the interior wall defining a chamber for containing the liquid. A rib extends inwardly from the interior wall at least one-quarter of the distance across the chamber. A drive moves the container so that the rib brings the food products into and out of contact with the liquid, and a vacuum source creates a partial vacuum within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Edward Thornton, Billy Groves
  • Patent number: 6960361
    Abstract: A split-pan for a panning apparatus, a panning apparatus incorporating a split-pan, and a method of coating two distinct masses of centers simultaneously with the split-pan are described. The split-pan is formed as a hollow drum, having first and second ends, an interior volume, and at least one partition, positioned between the first and second ends. The partition divides the interior volume into a plurality of coating vessels that allow the simultaneous coating of a plurality of masses of centers in the respective coating vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith A. Chisholm, William R. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 6837933
    Abstract: The device for surface coating of small parts is comprised essentially of a device (10) with sequentially arranged processing stations, namely a dip station (11), a drip station (12), a centrifuge station (13) and an emptying station (14). The drums (1) filled with small parts are conveyed from station to station via a longitudinal conveyor (27). Each station has its individual drive, with which the drums (1) can be brought into rotation. The drums are comprised of half shells (2) and (3), which are axially slideable relative to each other, which are opened for filling and closed during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Ernst Reinhardt GmbH Industrieofenbau
    Inventor: Eugen Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6770298
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for producing granules, in particular pharmaceutical granules, comprising a drum (4) with peripheral apertures (25) and a member (30) feeding the drum with coating or fixing substance. The drum (4) comprises mutually parallel sections (22) defining between them the apertures (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Laboratoires des Produits Ethiques Ethypharm
    Inventors: Patrice Debregeas, Gérard Leduc, Pascal Oury, Patrice Romain
  • Patent number: 6758161
    Abstract: A device for the coating of granulates and seeds, pellets and dragées with one or several coatings, whereby the seeds for coating are placed in a driven rotating drum, into which baffles fixed to the housing, in particular, spray and cleaning arms extend. Air supplies are connected to the drum by means of which the interior of the drum is subjected to an air stream. The air distribution in the drum is achieved by means of an air distribution plate fixed to the front side of the drum arranged opposite a non-rotating air distribution plate fixed to the housing, which is formed such that it may move in an axial direction towards and away from the drum and which may be connected to the drum by means of air. An improved cleaning of the housing and drum air feed is thus guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Driam Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Nohynek
  • Publication number: 20040103842
    Abstract: A split-pan for a panning apparatus, a panning apparatus incorporating a split-pan, and a method of coating two distinct masses of centers simultaneously with the split-pan are described. The split-pan is formed as a hollow drum, having first and second ends, an interior volume, and at least one partition, positioned between the first and second ends. The partition divides the interior volume into a plurality of coating vessels that allow the simultaneous coating of a plurality of masses of centers in the respective coating vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith A. Chisholm, William R. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 6702895
    Abstract: An electroplating barrel holds items to be electroplated while permitting the passage of electroplating solution into and out of the barrel. The solution enters the barrel through small perforations in the sidewalls of the barrel and then is circulated by the rotation of the barrel in an electroplating bath. In this invention the circulation of the electroplating solution, and thus the efficiency of the electroplating process, is increased by directing the flow of the electroplating solution into and out of the barrel through the use of a support rib structure defining perforated sections in the shape of parallelograms. Also, within those parallelogram shaped sections, the utilization of parallel, elongated openings defined by support segments further encourages the multidirectional flow of electroplating solution. The access doors, through the use of an improved locking mechanism also utilize an identical rib support structure with elongated openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hardwood Line Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Anton E Lazaro
  • Publication number: 20030168005
    Abstract: The device for surface coating of small parts is comprised essentially of a device (10) with sequentially arranged processing stations, namely a dip station (11), a drip station (12), a centrifuge station (13) and an emptying station (14). The drums (1) filled with small parts are conveyed from station to station via a longitudinal conveyor (27). Each station has its individual drive, with which the drums (1) can be brought into rotation. The drums are comprised of half shells (2) and (3), which are axially slideable relative to each other, which are opened for filling and closed during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Eugen Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6557486
    Abstract: A device moves and orients spraying nozzles (4) inside a coating pan (1). The spraying nozzles (4) are carried, arranged in a line, by a shaft (5), which rotates on a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the rotating drum (1). The shaft (5) is supported by a support frame (7), which is fastened to a bar (10), which is rotated to adjust the distance between the spraying nozzles (4) and the free surface (20) of said mass of articles (2) being treated. The shaft (5) is fastened to the lever mechanism (16,17) of a positioning member (15) for changing the inclination of the spraying nozzles (4), so as to maintain constant their orientation with respect to said free surface (20) of the mass of articles (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: G.S. S.r.l. Coating System
    Inventor: Antonio Giogoli
  • Patent number: 6547882
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depositing a surface coating on cores. The inventive device comprises a rotationally mounted drum for accommodating the cores, at least one spraying nozzle for depositing the surface material on the cores, a heating device for the inner space of the drum, an inlet and an outlet, and carriers which are provided for the cores and which are arranged inside said drum. The invention provides that the drum is designed as a longish cylinder and that second carriers are provided for the cores (11, 12). The second carriers transport the cores opposite the first carriers and are arranged such that they can be radially displaced in relation to the first carriers. The invention also provides that the drum is held in the device so that it can be quickly removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: L. B. Bohle Maschinen + Verfahren GmbH
    Inventor: Lorenz Bernhard Bohle
  • Patent number: 6520110
    Abstract: The installation for sugarcoating or encasing of products by rotation of a cylindrical rotor includes a distribution and proportioning manifold mounted on support and guide rails external to the rotor permitting its total withdrawal from the rotor for the washing phase and its emplacement with no internal support within said rotor for the operating phase. The rails are formed by two horizontal beams, parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor which is also the longitudinal axis of the manifold, fixed at one of their ends to the chassis of the rotor and at their other end to a transverse horizontal bar supported by at least one foot. At the level of one of its ends, the manifold is secured to a parallelepipedal frame which also supports closure means for the rotor and which slides along horizontal rails. Washing nozzles are disposed above the manifold at the level of the guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: ETS. F. Dumoulin et Cie
    Inventor: Bernard Marcel Dumoulin
  • Patent number: 6511541
    Abstract: A machine for coating particulate material includes a rotatable drum with a solid or perforated sidewall. A boom extends into the drum to support one or more spray nozzles and one or more powder applicators. Particulate material is introduced into the drum and subjected to a solution coating from the nozzles and a powder coating from the powder applicators, while the drum rotates. Air may flow through the perforated drum to facilitate drying of the coating solution and powder. The powder applicators are individually regulated so as to provide even distribution of the powder throughout the length of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Spray Dynamics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Barry W. Pentecost
  • Patent number: 6461672
    Abstract: A fluidized bed coating apparatus is provided and includes a fluid inlet adapted to be connected to a source of fluidizing fluid. The fluid inlet has an entrance opening having a first diameter and an exit opening downstream of the entrance opening. The exit opening has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The inlet also includes an expanding inlet section, between the entrance opening and the exit opening, that has an average diameter that increases in a direction from said entrance opening to said exit opening. A fluid distribution plate is provided adjacent the exit opening and includes a plurality of through-passages to allow the even and distributed passage of a fluidizing fluid therethrough. A chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet is provided and the fluid distribution plate is positioned between the exit opening and the chamber inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Antti Kosola, Ryszard Braun, Nathaniel T. Becker, Robert L. Christensen, Jr., Ville Kyläkoski, Alfred L. Gaertner
  • Patent number: 6402366
    Abstract: The drum of the drum unit has a plurality of jacket walls. One jacket wall is designed as a freely pivotable lid. A cam disk is located in the drum. In certain positions the lid rests at its free end on the cam disk such that it is controlled by same. When the drum rotates in one direction, the cam disk blocks the lid in its open position such that an automatic discharging of the drum takes place. At a rotating in the opposite direction the lid remains closed due to its force of gravity, so that neither a manual manipulation nor operating apparatuses for a moving of the lid are needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Ernst Eichholzer
  • Patent number: 6206968
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for coating a food, confectionery or pharmaceutical product wherein the product is prepared in rotary pans and wherein separate adjustable double piston metering pumps are used to automatically supply a coating substance to each pan on a predetermined schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: LIF Hospitality Mints LLC
    Inventor: Charles Mitchell Minges