Abstract: An apparatus for coating or mixing of loose items is provided. The apparatus includes a rotatable bowl shaped to contain a quantity of loose items for coating or mixing as the bowl is rotated. The rotatable bowl includes a plurality of discharge openings. A drive shaft is configured to rotatably support the bowl. A closure ring is positioned to close the discharge openings. The closure ring is retractable while the rotatable bowl is rotating to allow coated or mixed items to fall through the openings to unload the coated items from the rotatable bowl after coating/mixing is complete.