Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for separating excess slack out from a mixture of product and slack. For example, the slack could be a food product coating. According to one aspect, there is provided a hopper for diverting excess slack away from a mixture of product and slack, the hopper comprising a gate moveable between open and closed positions, wherein the gate is configured such that: when the gate is in the open position a first path is provided for contents of the hopper, comprising a mixture of product and slack, to exit the hopper; and when the gate is in the closed position the first path is closed by the gate so that product is retained in the hopper and a second path, different from the first path, is provided for slack to exit the hopper.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for separating excess slack out from a mixture of product and slack. For example, the slack could be a food product coating. According to one aspect, there is provided a hopper for diverting excess slack away from a mixture of product and slack, the hopper comprising a gate moveable between open and closed positions, wherein the gate is configured such that: when the gate is in the open position a first path is provided for contents of the hopper, comprising a mixture of product and slack, to exit the hopper; and when the gate is in the closed position the first path is closed by the gate so that product is retained in the hopper and a second path, different from the first path, is provided for slack to exit the hopper.