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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drum in which the hygienic status of pourable solids separated from liquid cattle manure is modified by aerobic heating in such a manner that said solids can be reused as bedding in cattle sheds. The object of the invention is to obtain a high loading factor amounting to 60-70% filling of the drum which is located horizontally for installation in an insulated container. In accordance with the invention, the loaded solid is kept in a chamber and is only transferred to the drum when there is no solid surrounding the chamber. The crucial element is a flap of the chamber which only opens and closes in this area. If there is any solid resting on the outside of the flap then opening of the flap is prevented.

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.

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.

Abstract: A capsule dusting system is designed to expose capsules to a dusting agent in a controlled manner. The system incorporates a tumbling basket positioned within an enclosure. The tumbling basket is loaded with capsules and is rotatably connected to a drive shaft. A dust injection system meters the dusting agent into the dust injection system. The dust injection system may include a dusting injector that translates between two positions. At one position, the dusting injector is loaded with dusting agent by a powder supply system. At the other position, the dusting injector is positioned to inject the dusting agent into the tumbling basket. A gas is fluidly connected to the dusting injector to cause the dusting agent to disperse into the tumbling basket. The enclosure contains the dusting agent within the system to reduce the environmental, health, and safety hazards associated with airborne particulates.

Abstract: A device (10) to coat food products such as potato crisps or chips and biscuits. The device (10) includes a flavor dispenser 21 that delivers granular flavor material to the products (12) being coated. The device (10) further includes a conveyor (11) with conveyor surfaces (15 to 18) that are arranged in cascade so that the food products tumble from one surface to the next so that the granular flavor material is applied to the various surfaces of the food products.

Abstract: Provided is a coating apparatus, which has satisfactory operability at a time of installing or exchanging a spray nozzle, is not complicated in structure, and is advantageous in terms of layout. A rotary drum (2) is rotated around an axis (A) inclined with respect to a horizontal line, and has an opening (5) at one end on an inclination upper side. A spray nozzle unit (10) is removably attached to a swing arm (34), and the swing arm (34) can swing with respect to a swing axis (34c). Owing to the swing operation of the swing arm (34), the swing nozzle unit (10) can be moved between the inside and the outside of the rotary drum (2).

Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.

Abstract: A process for coating an implantable device is disclosed. In this process, at least one implantable device is tumbled. As the implantable device is being tumbled, a coating substance is introduced to coat the implantable device with the coating substance.

Abstract: A continuous coating process for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material are introduced into inclined rotating drums in solution material plurality cores or rotating requisite which heated air is circulated and a coating is applied (liquid or powder). The coating is dried on the pieces of material, and a of thin layers are formed on each of the small pieces of material. A series of drums can be provided to provide the number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

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.

Abstract: Tumble breading assemblies, systems, and methods for applying breading material to food are described herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotary tumbling breading assembly for applying a breading material to a food generally includes a first rotary tumbler having a first channel for accepting the food and breading material and for rotating the food with the breading material, a second rotary tumbler offset beneath the first tumbler and having a second channel arranged to accept the food and the breading material from the first channel of the first rotary tumbler.

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.

Abstract: A process for applying particulates to a large number of comestible cores during the production of comestible cores so as to have a generally uniform application of particulates on each coated core involves the steps of placing a batch of comestible cores in a coating apparatus; applying aliquots of coating syrup while the cores are tumbled in the coating apparatus to build up a coating on the cores; dividing a predetermined total amount of the particulates to be applied to the coated cores into at least three portions of approximately equal size; and applying each of the portions of particulates to the coated cores simultaneously from multiple, spaced apart, particulate distributors in the coating apparatus while the coated cores are being tumbled.

Abstract: A breading machine, and improvements thereto, for use in high volume food production is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an improved breading machine includes a side-mounted feed hopper, a low pressure auger assembly including an auger transfer box with an input port for accepting a cross-feed screw and paddle, and an output port for transferring coating material to a vertical screw. The improved breading machine also includes a substantially cylindrical, rod-based spreader assembly and a transport conveyor belt for feeding the spreader assembly within a top hopper of the breading machine. The improved breading machine further includes a vibrating filter assembly to filter out clumps of coating material while allowing un-clumped material to be re-used within the breading machine.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor for granulating and coating particles in very small amounts having an essentially conical product container, a filter housing with filters inserted above the product container, and a lower housing below the conical product container having a process air supply. The product container has a sieve bottom in the center of which is a height-adjustable two-component nozzle. At least one guide element associated with the sieve bottom directs at least part of the process air to the two-component nozzle in a radial manner.

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.

Abstract: An improved Wurster coater in which conditioned fluidizing gas, drawn through a coating chamber bowl from a plenum by a vacuum fan, is directed through a perforated gas distribution plate through one or more Wurster tubes. The perforated gas distribution plate defines three concentric gas flow zones: a central high-flow up-bed zone beneath the Wurster tube, a surrounding annular lower-flow down-bed zone, and an outer peripheral bypass zone defining a bypass cavity underlying the outer lower wall of the bowl. A controlled bypass flow of conditioned fluidizing gas is directed into the bypass zone, either around the edge of the distribution plate or through relatively larger holes in its plate's outer periphery, which causes that portion of the fluidizing gas to flow radially inward across the distribution plate, thereby sweeping particles away which would otherwise stagnate at the inner corners of the bowl due to low gas velocity in that region.

Abstract: A sugar coating is formed on a solution multiplicity of items (5) such as confectionery, using a suspension of crystal nuclei in a solution of sugar. This suspension is created by ultrasonic irradiation of a supersaturated solution. For example a saturated solution is cooled, and stored in a tank (16) connected to a recirculation (10) loop (18) containing a pump (24) and an ultrasonic irradiation module (26). Treated suspension (20) is withdrawn to coat items (11), and new supersaturated solution (14) is introduced. The sugar solution is sufficiently viscous to suppress crystal growth.

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.

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.

Abstract: A hollow rotating drum 3 is rotatably arranged in an outside casing 7. On the outer circumference surface of the drum 3, along the circumferential direction thereof, there are formed ventilation sections 6 that can ventilate the inside and outside of the drum 3 in the coating processing. The ventilation sections 6 are arranged over the entire circumference of the outer circumference surface of the drum 3. In the ventilation sections 6, hollow pipes 16 through which cold air circulate are arranged with a predetermined clearance provided therebetween. Communication regions that make the inside of the drum 3 communicate with the outside thereof are formed by the clearance provided between the pipes 16. During the coating processing, arbitrarily, cold air is supplied to the pipes 16 to cool the drum 3, and the temperature difference is brought about between the inner surface of the drum 3 and products to be processed, which can prevent the coating base material from adhering to the inner surface of the drum 3.

Abstract: This invention provides baffles (10) for use in coating pans (50) within coating apparatus, and methods of manufacturing the baffles (10). The invention further provides methods of coating pharmaceutical formulations using the baffles (10) and coating pans (50) of the present invention.

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.

Abstract: A device for coating a food product with a particulate coating material comprises at least one essentially horizontal, rotary drum, at least one feed line for feeding food products to be coated to one end of the drum, at least one removal line for removing coated food products at the opposite end of the drum, as well as feed means for feeding the coating material to the food products, such that when the drum rotates the food products are tumbled and move from the end of the drum that is oriented towards the feed line to the opposite end. At least one further rotary drum is provided, the width of the feed line and the removal line being greater than the diameter of a drum and said lines extending over at least two drums in the transverse direction.

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.

Abstract: Seasoning for use with snack chips can be recovered and recycled. A seasoning permeable conveyor transports snack chips through a seasoning application. The seasoning applicator deposits seasoning onto the snack chips. The conveyor allows the seasoning not adhered to the moving snack chips to substantially pass through and by toward a seasoning recoverer. The seasoning recoverer, which is positioned beneath the conveyor, collects the seasoning for purification and blending with fresh seasoning. After blending, the seasoning mixture is transported to the seasoning application for use.

Abstract: A continuous coating process 30 for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material 20 are introduced into inclined rotating drums 34, 34? in which heated air 52 is circulated and a coating solution 50 is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seasoning apparatus capable of evenly seasoning each individual article, without seasoning any too heavily or too lightly. Therein, a screw having a helical blade is installed in a tube. The helical blade provides partitions that are provided upright between an article supply port and a discharge port. An article group, before seasoning, is accommodated in a section partitioned by the partitions, the motor rotates the screw, and the article group is transported from the supply port to the discharge port. Therein, each article group is transported to the discharge port separated from other article groups, and each individual article in the article group is seasoned evenly with the same seasoning processing time and the same seasoning supply ratio. In addition, the constitution of the seasoning apparatus is simplified because the screw simultaneously serves the two functions of separating and transporting the article groups.

Abstract: For a coating device for coating, for example, lenticular or granular items, comprising a drum rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis for accommodation of the items during a coating process, a loading device for filling the items into the drum, a closeable opening in the drum for admission of the uncoated items into the same and for allowing discharge of the coated items from the same, and a spraying device disposed within the drum for coating said items, concurrent execution of the operational phases of unloading and cleaning said device is enabled by providing an unloading device beneath the drum for removing the coated items, and between the unloading device and the drum there is provided a reciprocatory screening element which can be moved back and forth between a first position screening off said unloading device and a second position opening said unloading device.

Abstract: A drum-type coating apparatus for applying breading material to food products is configured to eliminate, in most circumstances, a hard cylindrical drum, to be replaced by a U-hanging belt, the belly of which provides all the operative utility of a cylindrical hard drum, but better than that, provides more clearance for cleaning operations, since the upper hemi-cylinder of a hard cylindrical drum provides no utility for tumbling purposes and only, to make matters worse, obstructs cleaning operations.

Abstract: A food product flavoring apparatus (20) includes a receptacle (22) having a dispensing base (30), nozzles (50) positioned above the dispensing base (30), and a vessel (80) holding a liquid flavoring (82). The liquid flavoring (82) is delivered from the vessel (80) to the nozzles (50) via a conduit (84) and a pump (86). The liquid flavoring (82) is sprayed from the nozzles (50) and uniformly covers a food product, such as popcorn (40), lying on the dispensing base (30). Following application of the liquid flavoring (82), vanes (60) of the dispensing base (30) are adjusted such that the flavored popcorn (45) is released through the dispensing base (30). The popcorn (45) is subsequently funneled through a hopper (32) positioned below the dispensing base (30) and into a container (36).

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

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.

Abstract: A drum breader and coating recirculation system that includes a spreader positioned at an end of the drum, the spreader having a plurality of angled surfaces to distribute coatings evenly; a screening platform positioned downstream of the spreader having a drive device for imparting straight-line angular displacement to the screening platform; and a drum feed conveyor positioned downstream of the screening platform, the drum feed conveyor having a belt extending at least partially along an upward angle.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a sealed vacuum chamber which contains a processing portion; a pressure controlling system which keeps the internal pressure of the sealed vacuum chamber constant at a predetermined level by exhausting the ambient gas in the sealed vacuum chamber; and an ambient gas recirculating system which recirculates the ambient gas exhausted from the sealed vacuum chamber back into the sealed vacuum chamber; wherein the ambient as recirculated by the ambient gas recirculating system is blown into the sealed vacuum chamber so that a gas flow is generated in a predetermined direction along the processing portion.

Abstract: Seasoning for use with snack chips can be recovered and recycled. A seasoning permeable conveyor transports snack chips through a seasoning application. The seasoning applicator deposits seasoning onto the snack chips. The conveyor allows the seasoning not adhered to the moving snack chips to substantially pass through and by toward a seasoning recoverer. The seasoning recoverer, which is positioned beneath the conveyor, collects the seasoning for purification and blending with fresh seasoning. After blending, the seasoning mixture is transported to the seasoning application for use.

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.

Abstract: Seasoning for use with snack chips can be recovered and recycled. A seasoning permeable conveyor transports snack chips through a seasoning application. The seasoning applicator deposits seasoning onto the snack chips. The conveyor allows the seasoning not adhered to the moving snack chips to substantially pass through and by toward a seasoning recoverer. The seasoning recoverer, which is positioned beneath the conveyor, collects the seasoning for purification and blending with fresh seasoning. After blending, the seasoning mixture is transported to the seasoning application for use.

Abstract: A system for coating particulate material with temperature-sensitive materials is provided with heated containers, each having a continuous loop of supply and return lines. Each continuous loop is coupled with a spray manifold that is positioned closely adjacent a mixing vessel. The temperature-sensitive fluid is pumped through the continuous loops to maintain the desired temperature when the fluid is not being applied to the particulate material within the vessel. The separate loops prevent undesired cross-contamination. A simple scale assembly is used for metering out the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seasoning apparatus (20) capable of evenly seasoning each individual article, without seasoning any too heavily or too lightly. Therein, a screw (23) having a helical blade (21) is installed in a tube (24). The helical blade (21) provides partitions that are provided upright between an article supply port (A) and a discharge port (B). An article group, before seasoning, is accommodated in a section partitioned by the partitions, the motor (26) rotates the screw (23) in that state, and the article group in the section is thereby transported from the supply port (A) to the discharge port (B). Therein, each article group is transported to the discharge port (B) separated from other article groups, and each and every individual article in the article group is seasoned evenly with the same seasoning processing time and the same seasoning supply ratio.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

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.

Abstract: A machine for coating granular articles and the like includes a rotating drum or a coating pan (1), which receives a predetermined mass of articles to be treated. The machine includes also a tubular manifold (4), whose axis is parallel to the axis of said coating pan (1) and which communicates with an outer first pipe (5). A plurality of perforated hollow bodies (14) extend from said manifold (4) and are dipped into the moving mass of the articles to be treated. A second pipe (6) communicates with the coating pan (1), so as to create a flow of air for ventilating the articles. The perforated hollow bodies (14) are telescopic, so as to allow adjustment of their length in order to change the depth of penetration thereof in the moving mass of the articles inside the coating pan (1). The perforated hollow bodies (14) have a distal part (14b), which is inclined with respect to the hollow body vertical axis and whose cross-section is oblong with pointed ends.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating particulate material with a coating medium, in particular for sugarcoating or film-coating pharmaceutical or food preformed pieces. The apparatus comprises a container drivable to rotate about a rotation axis, a spraying device for spraying the material with the coating medium and supplying means for supplying process air. The container comprises a bottom and an upstanding wall where the rotation axis of the container is substantially vertical and where an inclined return surface is arranged in the container. The return surface extends from an upper region of the container in the direction of an inner diameter region of the bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and/or cooling a plurality of particles including a generally circular bed for holding the particles, the bed having a substantially centered annular inner bed wall, an outer bed wall and an irregular bottom. The apparatus also includes a drive mechanism rotatably affixed to said bed, where rotation of the drive mechanism at a predetermined rate produces a displacement of the bed horizontally and vertically resulting in a particle flow in the x, y and z directions. The particle flow in the x and y planes for a majority of said particles is in a dominant direction. The apparatus also includes an airplant which provides a heated and/or cooled airflow tangentially into the bed in a direction opposite to the dominant direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying liquid coating to pellets in a flowing feed stream are provided. An incoming bulk material feed is conditioned to produce a ribbon-like agglomerated flow pattern, and the bulk material is passed through a first spray section which coats an exposed surface of the pellets flowing therethrough. The flow direction is reversed in a second spray station, which operates to expose an opposite surface of the pellets, such that the second spray section coats substantially the remainder of the outer surface of the pellets.

Abstract: The variable geometry seasoning tumbler is an adjustable tumbling device that allows for the uniform application of seasoning of snack food product such as potato chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, and the like. With the adjustable tumbling device, uniform application of seasoning can be achieved while minimizing snack food product breakage. The tumbler has adjustable upper and lower rolls that support a belt that receives and processes the snack food product. The belt has a catenary region wherein snack product is processed in a tumbling bed. By adjusting one or both rolls, the dimensions of the tumbling bed and the inclination of the belt can be easily modified. Thereby, the tumbling parameters can be optimized for each type of snack product being seasoned.

Abstract: The seasoning applicator applies seasoning onto snack food products such as potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, and the like in a two-dimensional seasoning pattern. A two compartment sifting assembly has a first top layer having a screen where seasoning is initially deposited. Upon vibration, the seasoning is passed through the top layer screen into a lower compartment. Therein, the seasoning is further distributed across the surface of the lower layer screen, which generally has a screen with smaller openings than the top layer screen. This promotes the even distribution of seasoning through the lower screen. Thereby, a two-dimensional seasoning pattern is created for depositing on a moving bed of snack food products.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading particles, such as seasoning, on both sides of products conveyed in a product stream includes first and second conveyors arranged at different elevations, and a particle dispensing device arranged above a vertical overlap between the two conveyors such that particles dispensed by the spreading device falls on the product stream on the first conveyor and the product stream on the second conveyor. A turning apparatus is arranged between an outlet of the first conveyor and an inlet of the second conveyor such that the product stream is turned over as it is being deposited from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The turning apparatus includes a discharge lip on the outlet of the first conveyor, and a curved turning wall arranged spaced from the discharge lip.