Abstract: According to the invention an apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food material for application to a solid food product is provided. A dry ingredient distributor is provided which includes an auger surrounded by a distribution tube having a plurality of openings. Mounted to the distribution tube and vertically spaced therefrom at a preselected distance, is an electrostatic field generation means for generation of a substantially uniform electrostatic field horizontally along substantially the entire length of the distribution tube to generate an electrostatic field in the path of the food material exiting the outlets of the distribution tube.

Abstract: A coating of creamy material, for example chocolate, is applied by spraying by making the chocolate mass flow to a main nozzle surrounded by an auxiliary nozzle to which air is supplied under pressure. During the spraying, the chocolate mass cools and hardens.

Abstract: A hand-held grout-dispensing tool having a body portion defining a generally triangular envelope member made of a flexible and expandable elastic material, an open but sealable-by-folding top edge, a grip portion on one lower edge, and a spout portion enabling adjustable dispensing of grout.

Abstract: A device for charging a filling material (6) with respect to pieces of dough (1) transferred on a transfer conveyor (2) comprising detectors (3) mounted on the transfer conveyor, the detectors being adapted to detect transverse shifts of the pieces of dough on the transfer conveyor and to generate signals representative of the amounts of the shifts; a filling-charging mechanism (4) disposed downstream of the detectors, the filling-charging mechanism having discharging nozzles (48) mounted movably in the transverse direction; and a control device (7) for receiving from the detectors the signals representative of the amounts of the shifts and controlling the discharging nozzles to move transversely amounts equal to the respective amounts of the shift.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for application of a viscous sauce to a pizza shell. The apparatus includes a distribution roller system in combination with a waterfall dispensing device to form a thin sheet of the sauce that is discharged onto the roller which then throws the received sauce in droplet form onto the pizza shell in a uniform thickness layer. The distribution roller system in one embodiment of the apparatus includes a single roller formed with a plurality of conical projections arranged in angularly spaced axially extending rows for receiving the sauce from the waterfall dispensing device and revolved at a speed to throw the sauce in a generally downward direction in a shower of droplets.

Abstract: A device for carrying out a method of sugar-coating and/or film coating is provided with a partially perforated drum (48) which rotates about an axis (50). The inner space (47) of the drum can be exposed to a fluid flow (gas, fluid). The inner space (47) is associated with an element for guiding a gas flow which guides the gas flow as a controlled shell-shaped flow through the plane of the drum opening (43) and, with at least one longitudinal component with respect to the axis, through the inner space (47) of the drum (48).

Abstract: Foodstuffs flavoring apparatus comprises an inlet, a screw conveyor arranged to convey flavoring from the inlet to a rotor disposed in a cylindrical chamber parallel to the axis of the screw conveyor, the rotor including one or more blades extending towards the wall of the chamber. The chamber also includes one or more apertures through which powdered flavoring carried to the chamber from the inlet by rotation of the screw conveyor is ejected in use of the apparatus. An electrostatic charging head located adjacent the outlet ensures adhesion of the flavoring to the foodstuff.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and process for making foods coated in bread crumbs.The apparatus has a crumbing apparatus for converting loaves, of bread into breadcrumbs; a coating location whereto fresh crumbs are delivered from the crumbing apparatus; and a conveyor for transporting substrate food to the coating location for coating with the crumbs and for transporting coated food away from the coating location.The process involves the steps of obtaining baked and staled bread; inserting the bread into an apparatus which converts the bread into crumbs and substantially immediately coats the crumbs onto a substrate food. For conversion into crumbs, bread is supported on rods over a rotating drum having teeth which project between the rods to engage the bread. Thus bread too moist for grinding can be crumbed.

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: An apparatus for coating a foodstuff with a particulate material has an endless meshed conveyor belt which is trained about a hollowed roller which has a longitudinally extending wall having apertures therethrough and about which the belt travels from a lower return run to an upper forward run. A baffle is positioned beneath at least a portion of the lower return run of the belt and is arced from the lower return belt run towards the upper forward belt run. A rotatable shaft from which radial wings protrude is positioned within the hollowed roller interior.

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: A hand-held grout-dispensing tool having a body portion defining an expandable generally triangular envelope member, an open but sealable by folding reinforced top edge, a grip portion on one lower edge, and a tapered, flexible spout portion enabling adjustable dispensing of grout.

Abstract: A bakery icing spreader includes an elongate spine or handle portion sized for ease of grasping by a baker. A plurality of tines depend in spaced relation and like direction from said handle and are sufficiently long and have sufficient surface area to retain icing thereon for a time after the tines are dipped in a bakery icing pan. The loaded spreader is then manually passed over pieces of bakery baked on batch-type trays and a stream of icing falls onto the bakery in any pattern manipulated by a user.

Abstract: Particulate material for coating foodstuffs falling from a belt of a conveyor within a rotatable drum is distributed substantially evenly over the interior wall of the drum by a guiding device which includes at least one movable plate which is positioned below the belt and which has a longitudinal axis parallel to the end of the belt. The particulate material distributed from the belt to the drum is conveyed by the drum to a conveyor which delivers particulate coating material to a foodstuff to be coated.

Abstract: A table-top apparatus for conveying small loaves of bread beneath a liquid applicator and a dry particle dispenser. As bread is conveyed along an upper conveyor, butter, margarine, or the like is applied by a liquid applicator. The bread then drops to a lower conveyor and is topped with grated cheese and/or seasonings from a dry particle hopper. The conveyors and the liquid applicator are run continuously. An agitator within the dry particle hopper is only run when bread moving along the lower conveyor trips a limit switch.

Abstract: In a coating apparatus for applying a coating composition to substantially flat baked pieces, particularly cookies or the like, which apparatus includes a supply container (15) and a metering device (14) succeeding that container, it is proposed to provide between the supply container (15) and the metering device (14) a substantially horizontal screw conveyor (13), which serves to transpsort the coating composition to the metering device (14) and which at its discharge end opens into the metering device (14), which includes a cylindrical coating head (14) having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis. The metering body of the coating head (14) consists of a cylindrical drum (21), which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the coating head (14). That drum (21) is provided with radial discharge nozzle passages (28). A pressure sensor (36) for controlling the velocity of conveyance of the screw conveyor (13) is provided in a stationary part of the coating head (14).

Abstract: A food breading assembly which includes a grid member sandwiched between an upper bin for holding food items to be breaded and a lower bin for holding breading material such as flour, bread crumbs, and the like. The upper and lower bins have aligned handles projecting from each side which the user can grasp with his hands to hold the upper and lower bins together and the grid sandwiched tightly between. The user can then shake the assembly causing the breading material to be propelled upwardly through the apertures of the grid to bread the food items in the upper bin. When completed, the upper bin is lifted off the grid with the breaded food on the grid. The grid has a pair of handles the user then grasps to lift the grid and breaded food thereon away from the lower bin, carry over to a cooking receptacle and drop the breaded food items therein without the user having to touch the food with his hands.

Abstract: An apparatus for layering powder onto particles has a vessel in which a rotor is mounted rotatable therein around a vertical axis. The rotor is a disc with a supporting surface for supporting particles. The apparatus also has a feeder with a substantially horizontal introducing member protruding slightly into the vessel above the disc. The introducing member limits a liquid outlet and an annular powder outlet encompassing the liquid outlet. During a layering operation, the introducing member protrudes into a bed of particles lying on the rotating disc and moved by the latter. There can then be sprayed liquid and powder simultaneously onto the particles passing in proximity of the outlets. This enables layering powder onto particles to produce thereby pellets having sizes lying in a narrow range.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating an article on both sides with a continuous layer of granular flowable material of constant thickness. The apparatus includes a belt for transporting the articles, with the material being capable of passing through the belt. The belt further includes an uppermost run and a lowermost run, with guide plates positioned beneath the uppermost and lowermost runs, with the material and the belt capable of being moved over the guide plates. The lowermost run of the belt is twice oppositely guided downward in the direction of the belt's movement to form three belt sections in the lowermost run. The three belt sections further include a first belt section, a second belt section positioned beneath the first belt section, and a third belt section positioned beneath the second belt section.

Abstract: A pizza making machine is disclosed which automates the heretofore manual task of preparing pizzas. The machine includes a sauce and cheese dispenser for topping a pizza therefrom. A pizza supporting platen is included which accommodates three sizes and two shapes of pizza pans, and is powered for movement to below the sauce and cheese dispenser.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for evenly distributing food particles over a base food, and in particular is directed to apparatus for evenly distributing a predetermined quantity of cheese particles upon a pizza. The apparatus includes a conical screen supported above the pizza upon which cheese is to be distributed and comminuted cheese particles located within a hopper above the screen are dropped in a mass upon the screen and distributed by gravitational force in an even pattern over the pizza.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating of wax and fungicide to the surface of fruit applies the coating in two stages. The first stage sprays onto the fruit a mixture of both wax and fungicide, while a second stage sprays onto the fruit wax alone. The fungicide is thereby concentrated immediately adjacent the fruit, where it is most effective in controlling fruit decay, and the wax is at its full concentration at the outside of the coating, where it can provide an optimum surface shine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a wide variety of seasoning material utilizes a hopper for the seasoning material and a tube having one end in fluid communication with the hopper. The tube extends outwardly from the hopper and terminates at a distal end thereof, the tube having a feed section adjacent the hopper and a seasoning delivery section between the feed section and the distal end of the tube. The dispenser includes a motor-driven auger extending from the hopper through the feed section and the delivery section of the tube. Seasoning distribution aperture(s) start at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section on a side of the tube at least 10.degree. from the bottom of the tube so that seasoning exits the side of the tube at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section.

Abstract: A breading machine is provided in which the breading recirculation system enables effective circulation of excess breading through the machine to be reused for dispending the breading material onto the surfaces of a food product. The circulation system distributes a variety of breading materials more efficiently so as to avoid congestion or build up of the breading materials within the machine which has previously required cleaning or other functions to be performed. The circulation system provides direct auger-to-auger coupling at transition zones between various breading transporting screws within the machine. Further, appropriately positioned discharge chutes are provided to enable some types of breading materials to be transferred at the transition zones without damaging the breading materials. The circulation system is also completely contained so as to be safe and effective in its operation and yet is easily cleanable to maintain sanitary conditions.

Abstract: The invention describes a coating machine which includes an endless pervious conveyor belt supported in an elongated frame which provides a food product conveyance path within the machine. A hopper is disposed above the food product conveyance path in which an amount of a coating material is provided to generate a falling curtain of bread crumbs or the like to cover the top and sides of food product pieces passing along the food product conveyance path. The machine also preferably includes a circular drum type conveyor which is rotatably supported along the elongated frame adjacent the hopper and includes a plurality of pockets formed therein which open into the interior of the machine and the hopper. Conveyors are provided in both the elongated frame and hopper to distribute coating material from the frame enclosure to the circular conveyor which will in turn distribute coating material to the hopper to generate the upper layer of breading material.

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: 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 method and apparatus for enrobing confections with an enrobing material by conveying the confections along a conveying path over which two transversely extending curtains of enrobing material are directed. Between the respective curtains a first downwardly directed air curtain is provided for smoothing a first layer of enrobing material, and downstream of the enrobing device a second air curtain is provided for smoothing a second layer of the enrobing material and to remove excess enrobing material from the confections. A bottom coating station is provided wherein the confections are guided through an enrobing material containing pan to provide substantially complete coverage of enrobing material over the surfaces of the confections.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for applying a liquid release agent, especially an alginate, to the outside of a thin wide strand of cheese (30) on a revolving cooling roll (2) characterized in that the release agent is pressed onto the outside of the cheese strand (30) in the form of a film (34) which is fed at the rate of travel of the cheese strand (30).

Abstract: A spray device is used to deliver a liquid, liquid containing a solid or a solid in a shaped flow onto a surface. The spray device can be used to deliver the material downwardly, laterally or upwardly in the form of droplets, a curtain or a mist. The spray device consists of a housing which uses a center shaft to deliver the material from the feed end to the discharge end. At the discharge end this center shaft has a flange which rotates with the center shaft. This flange is adjustable. Disposed over this center shaft flange is a flange fixedly attached to the nozzle housing. The material that is being delivered is shaped into the desired form in this flange region of the spray device. This spray device is non-clogging. In a preferred embodiment the surface that is being coated is the surface of an edible food product such as a cookie, biscuit, cracker or candy. The coating can be an oil, an oil containing dissolved or suspended flavorants, or a confection such as chocolate.

Abstract: A conveyor roller (8) has circular-saw-shaped teeth (28) on its circumference. By means of the conveyor roller set in rotation, shavings are pared off cubes of fat (9) and uniformly fill up the tooth gaps (27). The fat is conveyed along a cylindrical housing part (29) to a nozzle space (36). The nozzle space is bounded by an adjustable end portion (30) of the housing part and an adjustable stripper (32). At the end of the nozzle space, a homogeneous strip of fat is discharged through a nozzle orifice (40). The stripper has a control portion which is actuated by the teeth on the circumference of the conveyor roller. Another stripper portion (37) continually removes the fat in each tooth gap. Fats of very different consistencies can be processed. Optimum plasticization takes place during transformation of the cubes of fat into a strip of fat. The fat is warmed only a very little during the transformation operation. Thin strips of fat having great homogeneity can be produced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sealing gelatin capsules having cylindrical cap and body portions arranged in telescoping relationship to contain a medicament therein comprising a capsule-sealing machine for continuously conveying capsules from a supply hopper to a capsule-rectification station wherein the capsules are reoriented and delivered in endwise, cap-down abutment to capsule-wetting stations where a suitable sealing liquid is applied to the capsules at the seams of their cap and body portions to be located between the overlapping side walls of the cap and body portions of the capsules, and wherein the capsules are conveyed from their wetting stations in peripheral pockets of a rotating drum dryer to a capsule heating and sealing section where the capsules are heated by convection and conduction to seal the cap and body portions.

Abstract: A breading machine incorporating the present invention for use with fresh or green bread crumbs for continuously coating a battered food product having a frame supporting an endless conveyor on which food product is disposed defining a food product conveyance path, and a rotatable drum type conveyor disposed adjacent to the path and operable to receive fresh bread crumbs and to convey the bread crumbs into a hopper for distribution to the food product conveyor for coating the food product carried thereon.

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 a foodstuff with particulate coating material includes conveyors and means for applying the particulate material. A first conveyor has a horizontal upper run and a second conveyor has an upper run which includes an inclined portion positioned beneath the first conveyor which extends upwards towards the leading edge of the first conveyor and terminates in a horizontal upper run portion which extends to the leading edge of the second conveyor. Means are provided for applying particulate material onto another portion of the second conveyor prior to the inclined portion. The first conveyor transports pieces of a foodstuff to be coated to its leading edge whereat the foodstuff is deposited upon particulate material transported on the second conveyor, the pieces of foodstuff and particulate material then being further transported on the horizontal portion of the second conveyor to a position whereat means are provided for applying particulate material onto the foodstuff.

Abstract: An improved coating pan apparatus and spray arm assembly are disclosed for providing facilitated maintenance and cleaning of sensitive spray nozzles. The spray arm assembly includes means for varying the spray length and spray angle from a position external to the coating drum. Additionally, this invention provides adjustment means for removing the fixture containing the spray nozzles entirely from the coating drum and laterally from the coating apparatus housing for purging.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating of wax and fungicide to the surface of fruit applies the coating in two stages. The first stage sprays onto the fruit a mixture of both wax and fungicide, while a second stage sprays onto the fruit wax alone. The fungicide is thereby concentrated immediately adjacent the fruit, where it is most effective in controlling fruit decay, and the wax is at its full concentration at the outside of the coating, where it can provide an optimum surface shine.

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: A depositor is provided for the feeding or distribution of particulate food pieces, as for example, raisins, nutmeats, etc. The depositor includes a pair of superposed screws positioned in a hopper over an outlet screen member. By oscillating rotational movement of the screws, the particulates are fed from the hopper through the screen onto a dough sheet or the like under the depositor.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating a foodstuff with particulate material includes a drum capable of rotating about a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, and two horizontal conveyors, one positioned above the other, adapted to travel longitudinally in opposite directions through the drum. The lower conveyor has at least three successive endless conveyor belts having horizontal upper runs and a gap between each successive pair of belts. The second belt has an inclined portion below the first belt and the gap between the second and third belts is situated within the horizontal drum. The apparatus also contains means for feeding particulate material onto the upper conveyor and means for feeding the foodstuff onto the first belt of the lower conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for uniformly coating pieces of food with a viscous, particulate-containing composition in which the coating, e.g., a flavored oil containing, for example, spices, is fed to a rotatable, enclosed, frustoconical reservoir enclosed within a housing having a series of serrations along its upper rim. Centrifugal force radially sprays the coating through the serrations, which serve to limit the size of the particulates in the coating. The coating spray exits the housing and coats pieces of food transported external to the housing.

Abstract: A fat injection process for a pellet mill includes a plurality of nozzles mounted within the pelleting chamber and adjacent the die and rollers with a steam and fat line connected to each nozzle for mixing fat with steam and spraying the mixture onto the pellets immediately as they are formed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing frozen confections includes a mixing head which accepts one or more flows of semi-frozen or viscous confection materials and combines them into a single flow, a slicing mechanism which transversely severs the flowing confections into individual products or bodies. Next, edible particulate matter is adhered to the upper surfaces of such products by an assembly having a vibratory portion dispenser and an air jet transfer and adhering assembly which is synchronized to the motion of a product conveyor. The confectionary bodies are then advanced into a refrigerated region where they chill and solidify. Finally, the chilled confectionary bodies are subjected to a chocolate spray or bath which is allowed to congeal and the products are then ready for packaging and are moved to a packaging area.

Abstract: A sprinkle belt that is operable in a breading machine for coating food products with various kinds of flour type breading to insure that the top coating is evenly applied and relatively light rather than a heavy or clumpy coating as normally applied by present breading machines. As herein disclosed, the preferred embodiment of sprinkle belt comprises an endless wire mesh belt movably disposed in a breading machine of the type disclosed in the assignee's copending application entitled Breading Machine, Ser. No. 421,169 filed on Sept. 22, 1982 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,084, and which belt is operable to intercept the discharge of flour breading from the machine hopper as it falls toward food products passing therebelow to disperse said discharged breading into a cloud-like curtain that is substantially evenly and relatively lightly applied as a top coating to the food product.

Abstract: A breading machine for selectively dispensing flour breading or free flowing breading onto a food product, and wherein the machine has a frame and conveyor structure supported on the frame defining a conveyance path having a product inlet end and a product outlet end, and a breading hopper attached to the frame adjacent the inlet end for applying a coating of breading to the food product, and breading pumping slot structure attached to the frame for providing breading to the input end of the conveyor, with a fluffer mechanism mounted on the pumping slot structure for breaking up any caking or lumping of the breading on the conveyor prior to the point of introduction of the food product to the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to machines for manufacturing confectionery products which comprise a solid, gelatinous or pasty core uniformly coated with liquid and/or powdery products. Such machines comprise one or more helicoidal brushes composed of bristles which are implanted radially along helices over one or two shafts which are driven in rotation at a speed of less than 100 rpm in a trough which is open in its upper part and which has a height greater than that of the brushes and a cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for depositing chips of chocolate, fudge, and the like on food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper shaped to retain the chips therein, and a depositor roll having a peripheral surface with a plurality of recessed pockets into which the chips are received. A feed plate extends from an outlet portion of the hopper to the depositor roll at an elevation substantially commensurate with the longitudinal axis of the depositor roll. The feed plate preferably has a length which is greater than twice the dimension of one of the chips to form a dynamic, free-surface reservoir in which the chips temporarily pool prior to lodging in the depositor roll pockets. When the depositor roll is rotated, the chips continuously feed from the hopper, along the feed plate, and into the depositor roll pockets.

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.