Abstract: A hollow needle catches each seed in a seed vessel by suction, and a nozzle section receives the seed to form a gel film. An air blow-out nozzle opens toward the tip of the hollow needle. The mechanism includes an air cylinder for elevating the seed vessel, a lowering pipe line and a lifting pipe line each connected to the cylinder, a cylinder operating solenoid valve by way of which the pipe lines communicates with an air pressure source, and a branch pipe line communicating the lowering pipe line with the air blow-out nozzle. Further, air blows out from the air blow-out nozzle as synchronizing with the descent of the seed vessel.

Abstract: A double walled drum of concentric cylinders having end seals and insulation between the cylinders. The drum is open at both ends and rotates on its center longitudinal axis which is pitched from the horizontal with the entrance on the high side. Diameter restrictions at the entrance and discharge ends of the drum increase product residence time. Lifters at the entrance end discharge end push flexible strandular food subject to microbial spoilage such as strands of cooked pasta away from the entrance and out the discharge. Pins are mounted perpendicular to the inner cylinder wall and point to the central axis of the drum. Liquids such as acid and oil are sprayed onto the food in the drum from a spray bar or spray manifold. The pins continuously lift and separate the strands of food while it moves through the drum, and mix the liquid and product, resulting in a uniform coating. This process and apparatus produce a uniformly coated flexible strandular food such as spaghetti with minimal temperature loss.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continuously coating particulate material, such as seeds. The apparatus includes a frame, a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, and a series of spray nozzles extending into the drum so as to spray one or more coating solutions onto the particulate material which tumbles within the rotating drum. The drum includes a rifling with flighting which carries the material upwardly from approximately 6 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position, wherein the material falls from the flighting in a curtain spaced apart from the sidewall of the drum. Perforations in the sidewall of the drum allow a flow of air through the drum and curtain of material so as to dry the coating solution on the material substantially instantaneously as the material is coated with solution in the drum. The drum is maintained at a negative pressure during the coating process.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating discrete solid particles has one or more coating units, each comprising an upward directed nozzle (5), an annular opening (6) around the nozzle, wall means (7), such as a vertical pipe, above the opening but spaced therefrom, and gas guiding walls (9) below the annular opening for accelerating a gas stream flowing towards said opening. Between said guiding walls, means (10) are arranged for imparting a swirling flow to said gas stream. Thereby the particles are coated while being conveyed in a swirling gas flow. The coating quality is improved and operation facilitated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for coating egg-yolk disks containing egg-yolk materials. The egg-yolk is initially produced in the form of a cylinder, which is cut into disks, which disks after being encapsulated into an edible membrane, are used in combination with egg-white to form egg-products which may be fried or poached in a similar manner as real eggs. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are useful for coating articles other than egg yolk disks.

Abstract: The amount of oleaginous or aqueous liquid carrier used as an adhesive or binding agent for the topical application of a particulate composition to the major surfaces of baked good pieces or snack pieces is reduced by separately spraying the liquid composition and dispensing the particulate composition in substantial side-by-side relationship within a rotating drum. The liquid composition causes the particulate composition to adhere to the pieces prior to and without substantial penetration of the liquid composition into the pieces. Highly porous or absorptive products such as reduced fat, low fat, or no-fat crackers or snacks may be transferred hot to the drum. The liquid composition is sprayed substantially coextensively but separately from the dispensing of the particulate composition. The particulate curtain and the liquid spray both extend in the direction of transport of the pieces.

Abstract: A conveyor moves a dough sheet along a dough travel path. A filling applicator, located proximate the dough travel path, applies filling to the dough sheet. A cooler is located downstream of the filling applicator along the dough travel path. The cooler cools the filling applied to the dough sheet sufficiently to increase viscosity of the filling prior to the dough sheet being rolled to form a rolled dough product.

Abstract: A method of coating substrates of medicinal products with a dry powder includes the following steps: feeding the medicinal substrates onto a conveying belt (1); supplying the dry powder to a region (5) through which the substrates are to be conveyed; conveying the medicinal substrates on the conveying belt (1) through the region (5) with the conveying belt and/or the substrates maintained at a different electric potential from the dry powder, whereby the dry powder is attracted to the exposed surfaces of the substrates but is unable to reach the coated surfaces of the substrates in contact with the conveying belt, and treating the dry powder coatings to convert the powder into a fused film secured to the substrates.

Abstract: A centrifugal tumbling granulating-coating apparatus has a rotary disk rotated in the horizontal direction and a stator provided at an outer peripheral position of the rotary disk at a predetermined internal from the rotary disk. The rotary disk is formed therein with a peripheral edge portion having a circularly arcuate-shaped vertical cross-section erected from a flat bottom surface portion and curved upwardly. In the rotary disk, a height (H) from the bottom surface portion to an outer peripheral end is set at a value within a range of 0.30R.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.R to a radius of curvature (R) of the peripheral edge portion, a width (W) of the peripheral edge portion is set at a value within a range of 0.07D.ltoreq.W.ltoreq.0.25D to a diameter (D) of the rotary disk and the radius of curvature (R) of the peripheral edge portion is set at a value within a range of 0.10D.ltoreq.R.ltoreq.0.25D to the diameter (D). A powder contact portion of the stator is formed substantially vertically.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating seeds and particulate material includes an elongate tray operably mounted on a support frame with a motor for oscillating the tray to move particulate material from a rearward end to a forward end therealong. The tray includes a perforated support surface with a saw-toothed cross-sectional shape such that the particulate climbs the inclined tread of each sawtooth and drops from the forward end of one tread to the rearward end of an adjacent tread to form a "curtain". A plurality of spray nozzles are located over the tray to direct coating solution onto the seeds as they move along the tray. Preferably, the nozzles direct spray towards the curtain of falling seeds between the treads. An upper housing on the support frame includes an air plenum which directs air downwardly onto the seeds on the support surface and through the perforated support surface to a second air plenum formed under the support surface.

Abstract: The rotary drum has a cylindrical portion (tubular body portion) formed therein with vent holes. An annular duct is disposed at the outside of the cylindrical portion of the rotary drum in a manner to surround the cylindrical portion. This annular duct is provided with a gas supply duct and an exhaust duct. In the annular duct, partition walls define a vent path, in which the drying gas which has been supplied from the gas supply duct flows through an accumulated layer, and thereafter, flows to the exhaust duct. The direction of flow of the drying gas in the vent path is changed over by gas supply-exhaust changeover dampers.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to a powdery or granular material has a rotary drum 20 including a tubular portion 21 formed with air holes 27 and hollow shaft portions 23 and 24 provided at opposite end portions in the axial direction. A coating chamber 26 is defined inside the rotary drum 20. Liquid is sprayed from a nozzle 32 onto an accumulated layer 33 of a powdery or granular material in the coating chamber 26. Drying gas supplied from an air supply duct 45 is introduced into the rotary drum 20 from one of the two hollow shaft portions 23 and 24. A plurality of axially extending air ducts 34 are provided on the outer periphery of the rotary drum 20. When an air duct is positioned downwardly it is communicated with an air exhaust duct 41 through a distributor 35. Air introduced from the air supply duct 45 is biased toward the accumulated layer 33 by louvers 48.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping tablets into gelatin coating material and for spreading and setting the coating immediately after dipping is provided. Carrier plates having a plurality of tablet holders are transported from a tablet loading station to a dipping station along a transport guide. At the dipping station, a carrier plate is mounted to a vacuum chamber. A set of vacuum tubes in the vacuum chamber are extended through the tablet holders to contact and lift the tablets off of the holders and secure the tablets to the tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum chamber is rotated 180.degree. and a second carrier plate is mounted onto the housing and a second set of tubes secure the tablets to the plate. The carrier plates are alternately dipped and returned to the transport guide where new plates with uncoated tablets replace the plates with coated tablets. Immediately after dipping the carrier plates enter a rotating station where the plate is rotated 360.degree.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first coating section, a second coating section and a device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The first section includes a feeding and loading station for depositing products onto product holders retained in product carrier plates. The products are advanced to a first dipping station in the first section to coat a first portion of the product. The plates are then advanced to a first rotating station in the first station and rotated at least one revolution for spreading the coating over that first portion. The plates are then advanced to a dryer that extends over the first section of the coating apparatus and the coating is dried. The transfer device transfers the products to the second section of the coating apparatus in such a manner to expose the uncoated portion of the products. The plates are then advanced to identical dipping and rotating stations and dryer as in the first section.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a plurality of centers with coating material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum supported within a housing by a drive assembly. A spray arm assembly connected to a plumbing system is mounted within the drum to supply the coating material to the centers. An air flow system is provided to the drum to aid in the coating process. The coating process can be performed under hot or cold conditions and involves the repeated coating and drying of the centers until the desired product is obtained.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for sugar coating, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable vessel for containing a material to be coated; a baffle 9 movable independently of the rotatable vessel; a baffle mounting shaft 10 having a bent construction, for mounting the baffle 9 thereon; and a hydraulic cylinder for rocking the baffle mounting shaft 10 to displace the baffle 9. Load cells 17a and 17b for detecting the position of the baffle 9 relative to an accumulated layer M of a material to be coated are provided on the baffle 9. The load cells 17a and 17b serves for holding the position of the baffle 9 relative to the accumulated layer M of the material to be coated at all times, on the basis of a load imposed due to the presence of the contact with the material to be coated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for coating a product such as a medicament in the shape of a tablet. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates for receiving and retaining the products and means for advancing the plates on a conveyor to various processing stations. At a dipping station, a dipping means lowers and raises at least one plate into a first coating tank for coating at least a portion of the product. At a rotating station, a rotation means rotates one of the plates containing the product for spreading the coating on the product. After rotation, a first elevator transfers the plates from the conveyor to a dryer disposed above the conveyor. A second elevator transfers the plates from the dryer back to the conveyor for further processing. The dryer includes complementary acting pusher bars for transporting a plurality of plates horizontally along a plurality of vertically spaced guides.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continuously coating particulate material, such as seeds. The apparatus includes a frame, a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, and a series of spray nozzles extending into the drum so as to spray one or more coating solutions onto the particulate material which tumbles within the rotating drum. The drum includes a rifling with flighting which carries the material upwardly from approximately a 6 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position, wherein the material falls from the flighting in a curtain spaced apart from the sidewall of the drum. Perforations in the sidewall of the drum allow a flow of air through the drum and curtain of material so as to dry the coating solution on the material substantially instantaneously as the material is coated with solution in the drum. The drum is maintained at a negative pressure during the coating process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating products with two colors including a first coating section, a second coating section and a side to side transfer device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The transfer device includes a pair of plate grippers each having a movable upper jaw and a movable lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws are each adapted to receive and retain a product carrier plate. The transfer device includes a cam follower that precisely closes the upper and lower jaws so that carrier plates located in the jaws are positioned in registration with each other in order to clamp product between the plates and to maintain the product clamped in the plates while the grippers are transferred between the first and second conveyor guides. An unloading station includes breaker pins for breaking a seal that may be formed between the coating material applied in the first coating section and the carrier plates.

Abstract: A pan coating apparatus wherein a blow-out portion is provided at the forward end of an air supply pipe inserted into a rotatable container, and the total opening area of gas outlets provided in the blow-out portion is set at 0.1-1 time that of perforations provided in a perforated plate of the rotatable container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the drying and granulation of aspartame through the thermal treatment of a wet mass of aspartame crystals using a hot carrier gas, characterized in that a wet mass of aspartame crystals is supplied, in a continuous process, to a high-speed paddle dryer fitted with a jacket heated to a temperature of 80.degree.-190.degree. C. and with paddles, mounted on a central shaft with a controllable speed of rotation, at an adjustable distance from and angle to the jacket, which are positioned so that the required particle size of the granules is realized, the speed of rotation being chosen so that the Froude number is higher than 1, and the supplied product is treated in the paddle dryer for 15-600 seconds, with the simultaneous presence of a carrier gas having an inlet temperature of 100.degree.-200.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering lumpy products, especially pills, pellets or tablets, with a coating material, comprising a rotatable drum, a device designed for feeding air into the drum, a device designed for releasing the air from the drum, including at least one releasing air channel provided with at least one air passage opening directed to the interior space of the drum, and further comprising a device designed for spraying the product located in the drum with a coating material. In order to provide a coating device which is easy to operate, especially easy to clean, and the stop periods of which are substantially reduced, the at least one releasing air channel extends along at least one part of the inside wall of the drum and is detachably connected thereto. Thus, the releasing air channels are easy to detach from the drum and may be cleaned outside therefrom.

Abstract: A capsule-like medicament, method for producing such medicaments and apparatus. Such medicaments are achieved by individually dipping and drying first one end, and then the other end, of each caplet to provide a coating which is another and easier to swallow than an uncoated caplet. The production of these capsule-like medicaments is readily facilitated by simple and inexpensive modifications which can be made to existing empty gelatin capsule making equipment.

Abstract: A fluid-bed particle coater having a dual-jet and spray arrangement and including an upstanding column which has an upper cylindrical section, a tapered intermediate section and lower cylindrical section. Depending from the lower cylindrical section is a cylindrical chamber which is inner-connected to tubular sections adapted for introducing multiple air streams via separately controlled inlet openings. The dual-jet and spray construction includes an upwardly-facing spray nozzle positioned in coaxial relationship to the tubular sections and a draft tube, and a downwardly-facing spray nozzle contained with a fountain tube which is disposed above the draft tube. The fountain and draft tubes concentrically intersect about the intermediate section of the column in an opened telescopic arrangement.

Abstract: A coating machine with counter-flow and parallel-flow air conduction is used for coating tablets, granules, pellets, dragees and the like with one or more coating compositions. The cores to be coated are arranged in a rotatably driven, perforated drum which includes an air conducting channel surrounding the drum at its outer periphery, which air channel is provided with air from an air supply fixed to the housing, with air streams differently directed into the drum. In order to provide an operationally reliable, positively controlled and easy-to-clean air distributor, an annular distributor plate is mounted rotatably on an annular flange fixed to the housing, the distributor plate having slots therein which are connected to the air connections of the air supply, and the annular flange is in turn connected in an airtight manner to the air conducting channel of the drum by part-annular chambers separate from each other.

Abstract: A method of coating powder particles includes the steps of circulating an air flow containing the powder particles in a dispersed state therein in a cylinder whose inner wall is wetted with a coating liquid to bring the powder particles into contact with the coating liquid on the inner wall, and drying the powder particles thus coated with the coating liquid. An apparatus for coating powder particles comprises a drying chamber including an inner space for drying powder particles on the surfaces of which a coating liquid is deposited while floating the powder particles by an air flow, a powder-particle feeding device connected to the top of the drying chamber for feeding an air flow containing dispersed powder particles into the inner space through a cylindrical path, and a coating-liquid supplying mechanism for wetting the inner wall of the cylindrical path of the powder-particle feeding means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying coating to products such as medicaments are disclosed. The present invention provides a apparatus comprising product holders and plates which interact with vacuum tubes to retain the product being coated in place while inverted and dipped into a tank of coating material. The vacuum tubes may be designed to hold product of nearly any shape or in any orientation. In a preferred embodiment, methods and apparatus for creating a two-color gelatin coating on a tablet are disclosed. In certain embodiments, additional apparatus are provided whereby the vacuum tubes rotate about their longitudinal axes and are placed in contact with a coating applicator, thereby applying a band or stripe of a coating material to a specified section of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and coating a food product is provided which enables a uniform coating to be sprayed on the product without adversely affecting the product moisture content. The apparatus includes a reel which includes at least one and preferably a series of perforate zones in the sidewall for circulating air around the product during passage of the product therealong. Spray nozzles are arranged at intervals along the reel to deposit sugar, salt or other food coatings in slurry form on the food product. The reel rotates during coating and drying of the product to prevent aggregation of the individual food products and uneven coating, as well as providing for uniform drying of the coated product.

Abstract: Paste-form material is shaped into individual portions by an apparatus wherein a feed pipe provides a continuous supply of paste-form product under pressure to a distributor which is synchronized with a cutting device to produce the individual portions which are delivered to a support. Elements of the cutting device collect drops produced when cutting the distributed paste-form product, and the collected drops are removed from the cutting device such that the drops do not come in contact with the support.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating mouldings consisting of fluidizing the mouldings by means of a rotating spiral gas flow. A holder (A) containing the mouldings is provided with gas inlets (3). A gas flow through the gas inlet (3) brings the mouldings in a spiral rotating movement in a sphere (C) placed on holder (A). Coating material is sprayed in the apparatus by a tube (D), oscillated by the gas flow, on the whirling mouldings.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for continuous pan coating of edible cores which includes a coating drum arranged for rotation around an inclined axis and having an inlet opening at the upper axial end of the coating drum for reception of the edible cores, and a discharge opening at the lower axial end of the drum, so that the force of gravity urges the cores through the drum. The apparatus also includes a means for continuously driving the drum, means for providing coating material to the cores at a controllable rate, and means for delivering drying gas, such as air, to the cores also at a controllable rate while the cores are in the drum. The present invention has at least one after-treatment drum likewise arranged for rotation around an inclined axis and having an inlet opening at the upper axial end of the after-treatment drum and a discharge opening at the lower axial end, as well as a means for continuously driving the cores from the coating drum to the first after-treatment drum.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and a method for applying a sweetener to a foodstuff. In the preferred method the frosted coating of sweetener has a snow-like appearance. The apparatus of this invention has a means for atomizing and spraying a sweetener solution onto foodstuff particles and a means for drying the sprayed foodstuff particles using compressed room temperature air.

Abstract: A capsule-like medicament, method for producing such medicaments and apparatus. Such medicaments are achieved by individually dipping and drying first one end, and then the other end, of each caplet to provide a coating which is smoother and easier to swallow than an uncoated caplet. The production of these capsule-like medicaments is readily facilitated by simple and inexpensive modifications which can be made to existing empty gelatin capsule making equipment.

Abstract: A seal system for preventing leakage of air from the tumbler cylinder of a dryer. The system includes a pair of spaced seal members derfining a zone through which air is withdrawn from the cylinder. End seals are provided at each end of the cylinder, each end seal comprising a laterally shiftable annular ring abutting the respective end.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and a method for applying a sweetener to a foodstuff. In the preferred method the frosted coating of sweetener has a snow-like appearance. The apparatus of this invention has a means for atomizing and spraying a sweetener solution onto foodstuff particles and a means for drying the sprayed foodstuff particles using compressed room temperature air.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating pharmaceutical tablets or the like with other material such as sugar or the like. The apparatus includes a cylindrical rotary coating pan in which the tablets are charged and tumbled, and at least one perforated area for ventilating hot gas or the like so as to dry the sugar coated on the tablets. The perforated area of the coating pan is covered by each of baffle members. The baffle members being hollow are provided at positions to cover ventilating areas in the the coating pan, formed to be at least partially increased in width from the leading edge to the trailing edge relative to the rotational direction of the coating pan, and each have a ventilating opening communicated with the ventilating areas. Each of baffle members is formed of a hollow tube polygonal or cylindrical in cross section. A ventilating member for preventing a raw material to be coated from leaking is provided at the ventilating opening of the baffle member.

Abstract: A powdery and granular material treating apparatus wherein a powdery or granular material is contained in a rotary drum and the rotary drum is rotated about a horizontal axis to thereby coat the powdery or granular material. Ventilating perforations are formed on the entire surface or portions of the outer periphery of the rotary drum and drying air is fed to or exhausted from the rotary drum through these ventilating perforations. This powdery and granular material treating apparatus includes: seal plates for sealing drying air fed into the rotary drum; circular sliding frames provided on the sides of the outer periphery of the rotary drum, the outer surfaces of said sliding frames being in sliding contact with the seal plates at portions, through which air is fed to or exhausted from the rotary drum; and partition plates provided on the side of the outer periphery of the rotary drum at positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the rotary drum from one another.

Abstract: A spray arm (6) is arranged parallel to the axis (2) of a drum with a multi-spray system for the production of dragees, on which a jet arrangement (9)(36) for the spraying of kernels, together with, as necessary a cleaning fixture for cleaning the jet arrangement is provided. So that in one and the same drum, several kernels can be treated with different materials, the drum (1) is divided axially into several separate coating chambers, whereby several parallel partitions, each dividing a section of the drum, extend diametrically from the inner circumference of the drum (1) radially inwards in the direction of the drum axis and in each drum section (10)(11) a separate spray arm section (13)(14) is arranged.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for heating a liquid and solid material 101 by means of water (100) in a jacket (14) around a reservoir 12 for the material is described. The temperature of the water is regulated by a thermostat (31) and a heater (30). A predetermined level (100a) of water is maintained by a switch (65) controlling a valve (37) from a source (36) of water. The heater only operates when the water is at the predetermined level and is controlled by sensor 32 connected to a double pole double throw switch 65. The apparatus is particularly adapted for dispensing bean paste or frijoles.

Abstract: A rotatable drum has means for spraying a coating material onto a localized area of the cascading tablet surface of a tumbling bed of tablets being rotated in the drum. Means (not shown) is also provided for supplying drying air into the drum to dry the coated tablets. Open-ended tubular members mounted inside the drum, pass through the tumbling bed of tablets and completely beneath the localized area as the drum is rotated. The members thus extract tablets from the stagnant core of the tablet bed and distribute the extracted tablets onto the cascading tablet surface so as to hasten the coating process.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for use in sealing gelatin capsules filled with medicinal ingredients wherein each capsule has a generally cylindrical cap and body arranged with the side wall of the body telescopically within the side wall of the cap to contain the medicament therein comprising an economical and compact wetting device for automatically conveying filled capsules from a capsule-filling machine by pneumatic pressure conveyance through one or more passageways to a wetting location where each capsule is maintained in a generally cap-upright position and metered amounts of a wetting liquid are applied to side wall portions of the body of the capsule adjacent the seam of the cap and body to pass by capillary action into the space between the overlapping cap and body side walls, and the capsules are released from wetting positions in the passageways for further pneumatic conveyance to a point of heat treatment for final sealing of the body and cap portions of the capsule to prevent their separation and

Abstract: This invention relates to the impregnation of small spheres of sugar with an aqueous liquor. Driven in rotation by rollers, an inclined bottle lies opposite the suction of a ring. By its programmed nozzles, a flask may spray a jet of liquor, blow air or remain at rest. Programmation is effected from a control desk. The invention is more particularly applicable to the mass-production, in sterile manner, of granules or pellets for homeopathy, such manufacture being on an industrial scale and eliminating the risks of errors.

Abstract: A barrel-type coating apparatus includes a perforated barrel rotatably and pivotably mounted on a frame, and a cup-shaped heating chamber slidably supported on the frame and reciprocably movable toward and away from the barrel for removably receiving therein the barrel from an open end thereof while the barrel is held in an upwardly tilted position. The cup-shaped heating chamber includes a heater mounted thereon for heating the atmosphere in the heating chamber and a paint-spraying nozzle projecting into the interior of the heating chamber. With this construction, the barrel atmosphere is heated and cooled immediately after the barrel has been received in and removed from the hot atmosphere in the preheated heating chamber so that the paint-spraying, setting, baking and cooling steps can be carried out at a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A device for coating formed bodies, like dragees, has a device for spraying the formed the formed bodies with a drageeing suspension and a suction device for sucking off air and dust while the formed bodies are in a kettle and moved therein by rotation of the kettle about a titled axis so that the drageeing material undergoes a three-dimensional rolling movement. The suction device has one or more perforated separating walls so in the kettle that, during the rotation of the kettle, running off drageeing material flows over a portion of one side thereof and air removal from the other side of the separating walls is restricted thereto. As a result, a large part of the air flows through the running off material for more effective drying and dust removal.

Abstract: A low labor, highly efficient process and system for manufacturing chocolate coated ice cream cookie sandwiches is achieved by incorporating conveyor means for transporting the ice cream cookie sandwich through the various stages of its manufacture along with uniquely constructed ice cream brick slicing machines and a unique chocolate coating machine. In addition, a pass-through freezer is preferably employed prior to the chocolate coating, in order to assure a high quality, tasty product. The ice cream slicing machine of the present invention employed in the process and manufacturing system of this invention is constructed for receiving a plurality of ice cream bricks and cutting each brick into a plurality of slices in an efficient, automatic, integrated operational procedure and presenting each ice cream slice to a holding zone for placement on a cookie moving along the conveyor means.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating pharmaceutical tablets or the like with other material such as sugar or the like. The apparatus includes a cylindrical rotary drum in which the tablets are charged and tumbled, and at least one perforated area for ventilating hot gas or the like so as to dry the sugar coated on the tablets. The perforated area of the drum is covered by a baffle plate. The leading edge of the baffle plate is in contact with the inner surface of the drum, and the trailing edge of the baffle plate forms a ventilating opening through which the hot gas flows. The side edges of the baffle plate is provided with side plates. The ventilating opening is provided with a ventilating plate.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and process for automatically coating solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, e.g., tablets. The apparatus comprises a coating pan, having a rotating means, e.g., motor and a weighing means, e.g., scales in combination with the pan and motor. A process controller is in electronic communication with both the pan motor and scales, for controlling the pan rotation and monitoring the weight of the coating pan contents. There is also provided a plurality of material containing reservoirs having conduit means communicating with the interior of the pan. The material containing reservoirs may also have weighing means, e.g., scales in combination with the reservoirs, which are also in electronic communication with the process controller. These reservoirs may contain a water supply, a coating syrup supply, color suspension supply, and polishing ingredients for use in coating the tablets.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical tablets and the like articles are coated with coating material which is sprayed onto a selected part or parts of a bed of the articles. Drying air or gas is passed through a further part or parts of the bed while the selected part or parts of the bed have little or no drying air or gas passed through them. Articles are continuously transferred between the selected part or parts of the bed and the further part or parts of the bed until all the articles are coated.

Abstract: A particle coating apparatus is provided with a housing containing a drum open at both its ends and comprising a perforated cylindrical mantel. The drum is allowed to rotate and pivots at one of its ends with a bearing. An air transmission shoe having an opening arranged at one of the lower quadrants of the drum. The opening is adjustable and extends along the contour of the drum. The opening directs the gas through the tablets. The drum has a taking opening extending along the entire width of the mantel. The opening may be closed by a hinged pneumatic shutter. The bottom of the housing located under the drum has an opening which may be closed. When the tablets contained in the drum are coated, they may come out under the effect of gravity after the release of the taking opening and of the bottom opening of the housing.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for sealing a body and a cap of a capsule which comprises successively dipping a gelatin hard capsule containing drugs one by one in a mixed solvent of water and ethanol whose volume ratio to water is 50-55%, thereafter taking said capsule out of this solvent and drying each capsule separately.