Abstract: A coating device for coating a size-press roll, paper or board or an equivalent moving base including a revolving coating bar which rests against a moving base. The coating bar extends across the machine width and is supported on a cradle substantially over its entire length. The coating bar spreads and smooths a coating agent introduced into the coating device and applied onto the moving base before the moving base contacts the coating bar. The coating bar in accordance with the invention is a smooth bar of large diameter, fitted against the moving base so that the profile of coating quantity of the coating agent can be controlled.

Abstract: A seed treating apparatus includes a housing having at least three, vertically spaced alternating converging and diverging conical members therein and a plurality of sprayer units arranged to coat the seed flowing through the housing with liquid seed treating agent. A first, converging upper conical member guides the seed into an upper, open end of the housing. A second diverging conical member is located below the first conical member and can be vertically moved to adjust the rate at which the seed leaves the first conical member. A first set of spraying units is arranged about the inner periphery of the housing and is preferably aimed toward the second conical member for spraying the seed as it flows towards and over the second conical member. The seed then is caused to flow toward a third converging conical member which guides the seed to a lower open end of the housing. A second set of spraying units is provided between the second and third conical members for additional spraying of the seed.

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 centrifugal tumbling granulating-coating apparatus for spherically granulating and coating pharmaceuticals, foods and the like. The apparatus is constructed such that an annular outer portion 5b of a rotary disc 5 is formed to provide an inclined portion which is inclined downwardly toward the center, the size (P) of the outer portion 5b in the horizontal direction is within the range of P.gtoreq.0.25D to the diameter (D) and preferably 0.4D.gtoreq.P.gtoreq.0.25D, and the height (H) is within the range of 0.1D.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.0.33D and preferably 0.1D.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.0.25D.

Abstract: A seed coating apparatus for applying a coating fluid to seeds, consists of a seed input, a housing connected to the seed input, the housing having a seed output, a rotating seed dispersing member within the housing receiving seed from the seed input, a device adapted to produce a moving air curtain between the seed dispersing member and the seed output, whereby coating fluid applied to the seeds is kept within the seed coating apparatus by the moving air curtain, a rotating fluid dispensing member between the air curtain producing device and the seed output, and a source of coating fluid entering the housing. The rotating fluid dispensing member may preferably be a rotating bowl with apertures arranged vertically along the periphery, so that the fluid is dispensed along a vertical axis.

Abstract: A machine system and process for producing attrition resistant, controlled release fertilizer is described. In the process, a prewet solution is used to initially coat the plant nutrient to be coated followed by the separate application of the individual components used in the coating. The machine system provides an improved means for uniformly applying a single layer or multiple layers of polymer coatings to the plant nutrient.

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: Gluing machine for use in plants for producing wood fibreboard panels by a dry process including a hollow cylindrical shell having an inlet opening at one end for feeding an air stream transporting the fibers within which the glue is to be distributed, and an outlet opening at an opposite end for removing the air stream transporting the glue-impregnated fibers. A sprayer is provided for spraying an adhesive onto the fibers flowing through the cylindrical shell. The machine includes members for maintaining the flowing fibers close to the inner wall of the cylindrical shell for a predetermined distance. The sprayer is positioned within the predetermined distance in which the fibers are maintained close to the inner surface of the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing various coating materials on a traveling web by passing the coating through a dispersing medium. The web of material in traveling through processing or handling machinery may be effectively and desirably spray coated in-line by equipping the same with the apparatus of the present invention. The coated material is sprayed onto the inside surface of a permeable conveyor and transferred through to the web.

Abstract: A gel-coated seed processing method and an apparatus therefore capable of easily accommodating increased capacity of the apparatus to carry out a series of gel-coated seed processing consisting of coating seeds with gelatinization agent and curing the gelatinization agent to produce gel-coated seeds. The gel-coated seed processing method comprises the steps of: substantially linearly transporting seeds to be processed; coating the seeds to be processed with gelatinization agent at a destination to produce coated seeds; substantially linearly moving the coated seeds in curing agent while being immersed in the curing agent such that a direction that the coated seeds is transported in the curing agent when observed from above coincides with a direction that the seeds to be processed are transported when observed from above to harden the coated agent through reaction with the curing agent and obtain gel-coated seeds.

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: 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: The apparatus has a container which contains a first filter. During operation, this separates the first interior region containing particulate material from a second interior region. The latter is connected to a downstream dust separator. This has a housing which contains a second filter. The apparatus furthermore has a fan, at least one dust concentration sensor and a control device connected to this and to the fan. During fluidization and treatment of the particulate material in the first interior region of the container, the dust concentration in the oxygen-containing gas flowing from the first filter to the second filter and usually consisting of air is measured. If the dust concentration is at least equal to a predetermined limit below the lower explosion limit, the control device switches off the fan. This makes it possible to keep the pressures generated by any dust explosion relatively small.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating device for the coating of a size-press roll, paper or board or an equivalent moving base. The coating device includes a revolving coating bar which rests against a moving base. The coating bar extends across the machine width and is supported on a cradle substantially over its entire length. The coating bar spreads and smooths a coating agent introduced into the coating device and applied onto the moving base before the moving base contacts the coating bar. The coating bar in accordance with the invention is a smooth bar of large diameter, fitted against the moving base so that the profile of coating quantity of the coating agent can be controlled.

Abstract: A continuous method for the surface treatment of solid particles comprises feeding a powder mixture which consists of solid particles of a given substance and solid particles of another substance into one of a plurality of impact chambers in communication with one another and equipped with a rotating disc having impact pins and also with an impingement ring, subjecting the mixture to an impact striking action, separating an air stream produced by that action from the powder mixture and discharging it continuously from the impact chamber, repeating the impact action while allowing the powder mixture to reside temporarily in the impact chamber, and then causing the mixture to move, in succession, to the next chamber and so forth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably delivering discrete loose fill dunnage particles from a supply to a packaging site and for applying an additive to at least a portion of an exposed surface on a plurality of particles to cause abutting particles to adhere to each other. The apparatus consists of: a conduit having an inside wall surface defining a conveying path for loose fill particles, an inlet end communicating with the loose fill particle supply, and an outlet end for discharging loose fill particles conveyed from the supply through the conduit to the packaging site; a nozzle for producing a shower of additive through which a plurality of loose fill particles conveying between the supply and the packaging site pass; and structure for delivering a pressurized additive through the nozzle so that the additive is directed by the nozzle in a pattern adjacent to the outlet end of the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for a process for wet-treating seeds with an acaricidal, fungicidal, insecticidal or nutritive agent which consists of a foam-forming apparatus comprising a first foam-formation chamber equipped with openings which allow a gas and the aqueous composition containing at least one nonphytotoxic foaming agent to be admitted and containing, downstream of these openings, at least one sieve, this first chamber continuing into a second chamber for compressing and structuring the foam, which ends in an outlet nozzle for the foam.

Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.

Abstract: An assembly for a seed treating device incorporating a high volume, downwardly tapered hopper with metering gates and a series of high pressure chemical nozzles which laterally introduce a measured chemical treatment to the flow of falling grain or seed inside a spray chamber. A series of valves control the flow of chemicals through the apparatus while sump pump gathers and recirculates excess chemicals from inside the spray chamber for reuse or disposal. The spray chamber exit can be closed with a water tight seal and the system flushed with water and filtered for purposes of cleansing.

Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gel-coated seed processing device that comprises a gel-processing nozzle for coating the seed supplied thereto, a curing vessel which is disposed under the gel-processing nozzle and accommodate a curing agent for curing the surface of the gel-coated seeds, and a washing vessel for washing off the surface of the gel-coated seeds after being immersed in the curing vessel, wherein the curing vessel is composed of; a curing vessel main body for accommodating a gelatinizing agent in a receiving section thereof for receiving the gel-coated seeds dropped down thereto and in a gel conveying channel in connection with the receiving section, a pump for circulating the curing agent from the receiving section to the upstream thereof by way of the gel conveying channel, a rectifying plate disposed in the upstream of the receiving section to make the curing agent overflow the horizontal upper end brim thereof, and a horizontal guide wall extendedly disposed in the downstream side of the rec

Abstract: A device is disclosed for improved coating of small solid particles with a melt of a material which solidifies at room temperature. The device includes a rotatable turbine body having two rotatable disk parts. An annular gap is provided between the rotatable disk parts which allows the melt to emerge to coat the solid particles in an annular space. The two rotatable disk parts are connected by a fine-pitch thread which allows the size of the annular gap to be adjusted by rotating one of the disks relative to the other. Rotation of one of the disks is performed from the exterior of the device by an adjusting pin which eliminates the need to dismantle the device to adjust the flow of the coating material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for improved coating of small solid particles with a melt of a material which solidifies at room temperature. The device includes a rotatable turbine body and conduits for supplying solid particles and molten material to the rotatable turbine body. The turbine body is rotated by a hollow drive shaft and is provided with a series of heating conduits extending through the drive shaft and the turbine body for heating the turbine body. The turbine body can be heated to a controlled temperature to maintain the molten material at a desired temperature by varying the temperature of a heating agent which is supplied through the heating conduits.

Abstract: This is a granulating-coating apparatus comprising: a spraying means for spraying a binder liquid or a coating liquid onto articles to be processed, which are received in a rotary drum; a brush provided in a manner to be movable relatively to the spraying means in the rotary drum, for contacting a spray gun formed in the spraying means and removing adhered articles on the spray gun; and an adhered article sucking device provided in the vicinity of the brush, for receiving the removed adhered articles. With this arrangement, the adhered articles on spraying openings of the spraying means can be removed completely without contamination of the articles to be processed with the removed adhered articles.

Abstract: A system for coating discontinuous fibers with a liquid coating material uses a hopper/blender which entrains the fiber particles in a toroidal mass of moving fibers. The hopper/blender has an inverted conical section with an agitator assembly rotated therein. The agitator assembly has a base disc with tubular blades projecting outwardly therefrom into the conical section. Aft swept lifter blades relative to the direction of rotation are mounted to the agitator disc. A method of applying a liquid coating material to discontinuous fibers is also disclosed.

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 producing a substrate having a surface with a plurality of spherical dimples suitable for light receiving members including: a cylindrical rotating vessel having an external wall face and an inner wall face surrounded by housing, a rotating vessel containing a plurality of freely movable rigid spheres therein to surface treat the substrate, the cylindrical rotating vessel having a plurality of perforations through which the smooth passage of a surface coating liquid is effected; a substrate support means placed within the cylindrical rotating vessel so as to be rotatable coaxially therewith; a spouting device for spouting the surface coating liquid through the plurality of perforations into the cylindrical rotating vessel, the spouting device is placed crosswise in the circular space circumscribed by the inner wall of the housing and the external wall face of the cylindrical rotating vessel in a horizontal plane to the central axis of the cylindrical rotating vessel; a storing tank for the su

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 invention proposes the damping of grain, for example, by creating a rotating layer (20) in a damping chamber (2) with the help of acceleration rotors (3). For this, the cross-section of the rotation chamber is designed to form an outer boundary around two or, preferably, three acceleration rotors (3, 3', 3"). In this way, the rotating layer is forced into an eccentric and spiralling motion within the damping chamber (2). Damping is carried out in a very gentle manner, so that there occurs hardly any abrasion and no grain damage. Additional advantages include a longer and controllable reaction period during damping, optimized preparation for milling and a shorter, controllable tempering period.

Abstract: An intermittent coating apparatus for intermittently coating a continuously running base member with a coating material includes a nozzle for discharging the coating material toward the base member and an absorption unit for controlling a flow of the coating material. The nozzle has a slit opened toward the base member and a manifold connected to the slit. The absorption unit includes a head having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. The head is located in a housing. The absorption unit also includes a driving unit for sliding the head in the direction of a shaft located in the housing. By the sliding operation of the head, an absorption space is formed between an end face of the head and the manifold. In order to stop the coating operation, the supply of the coating material from an external supply opening to the inlet of the head is stopped by the sliding movement of the head.

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: In the bottom of a seed vessel containing seeds is provided a throughhole through which a seed supply rod is longitudinally movably passed. The supply rod is connected to an actuator to be movably driven. When the supply rod is moved upwardly, it carries a small number of seeds on the top surface thereof to bring the seeds close to a suction tip so that the suction tip sucks one seed therefrom. Since the suction tip sucks one seed from the limited number of seeds on top of the supply rod, it becomes unlikely that a plurality of seeds sucked into the suction tip interfere with each other to cause the suction tip to make errors in sucking seeds.

Abstract: In a seed supply mechanism for seed coating/processing apparatus, a seed stirring mechanism is provided. A case within which seeds ape accommodated is provided with an opening into which a seed sucking nozzle is inserted and an air jet nozzle. The air jet nozzle for the seed stirring mechanism is connected to an air pressure source through an exchanging valve by a hose The seed sucking nozzle sucks a seed floating by air jetted from the air jet nozzle. Thus, only one seed can be surely sucked when the sucking operation is once carried out.

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: Disclosed are a method of coating a granular material comprising steps of: dropping a granular material from an upper portion in a draft disposed in a coating apparatus; spraying the granular material during falling with a coating solution containing a film-forming material dissolved in a solvent in the draft; drying the granular material sprayed with the coating solution by a drying gas flowing upwardly from a lower portion to an upper portion in the draft; and carrying the dropped granular material to an upper portion in the coating apparatus, and a coating apparatus for coating a surface of a granular material with a coating solution while dropping the granular material, comprising a guide for guiding the granular material, coating solution spray nozzles disposed inside a draft and a means for supplying a drying gas upwardly from a lower portion to an upper portion to the granular material falling in the draft.

Abstract: A coating method which is characterized in that, when the surfaces of solid particles kept flowing are spray-coated with a thermally melted wax, a two-fluid nozzle adapted to mix a thermally melted wax with a heating gas in and eject the resultant mixture from one flow passage and eject a heating gas from the other flow passage is used, the two-fluid nozzle having spray ports of a diameter of 1.5 to 5.8 mm, and the two-fluid nozzle having no needle valve. According to this method, the use of an organic solvent for melting wax is omitted, and complicated operations for pulverizing a wax and for thermally melting the wax powder after it has been deposed on solid particles are not required. This method can also prevents clogging of the nozzle, powdering of the melted wax and forming of agglomerated solid, and permits simple and easy production of sustained release preparations and preparations for masking materials of unpleasant and bitter tastes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for uniformly coating particulate material. The apparatus includes a frame, a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, and a spray nozzle extending into the drum so as to spray a coating solution onto the particulate material tumbled within the rotating drum. Perforations in the side wall of the drum allow a flow of air through the drum so as to dry the material within the drum as it is coated with solution. A vacuum system removes the coated seeds from the drum without manual handling. In operation, the seeds form a dense mass, and migrate away from the mass as the seeds increase in size and weight from the sprayed coating. Eventually, all of the particles are uniformly coated, and thus a new mass is formed and the process repeated until the material reaches a desired size.

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: A free-flowing powder of coated particles is produced by means of a spray dying plant using a hot drying gas or a spray cooling plant using cold drying gas. A coating composition in liquid form is supplied to the atomizing means of the plant, and the liquid coating composition is atomized into a flow of liquid droplets, which are allowed to collide with particles of a carrier material dispersed in a transport gas. The direction and rate of flow of the transport gas are adapted to prevent contact between the drying gas and the droplets, so that the liquid coating composition, before any substantial drying thereof, will form a continuous liquid coating layer on the particles. The thus applied continuous coating layer on the particles is then allowed to at least partially dry by contact with the drying gas before withdrawal of the coated particles from the spray-drying chamber of the plant to a moving bed in the form of loose agglomerates.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing coated particles, and in particular, particles in which the coating is uniform, contiguous and of minimal thickness is described, together with an apparatus for conducting the coating process in which a plurality of coating cells connected in series are provided wherein the particles are pneumatically conveyed during the coating application and in which controlled recirculation of particles occurs within each cell and a controlled spray is applied to the particles in order to produce a substantially uniform distribution of coating.

Abstract: A coating apparatus using jet air streams, wherein a spray nozzle (2) of the coating apparatus includes: a powder blow-out path (4) provided in an axially central portion of the main body (3) of the nozzle; a coating liquid blow-out path (5) annularly formed on the outer periphery of the powder blow-out path (4); and a compressed air blow-out path (6) having a taper-shaped outlet portion and annularly formed on the outer periphery of the coating liquid blow-out path (5).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coating materials are provided. The apparatus includes a first member located above a rotating member and including a top opening and a bottom opening. A second member is located at least partly within the first member including a bottom opening and a closed top portion. A feeder for feeding the first material through the top opening of the first member is provided. A second feeder for feeding the second material.

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: An improved spray arm assembly for coating ingestible pharmaceutical products includes at least one spray nozzle of the type which is constructed and arranged to produce an aerosol mist from a liquid solution and pressurized gas, and an elongated support arm on which the spray nozzle is mounted. The support arm has a first bore defined therein for carrying liquid solution to the spray nozzle, and a second bore defined therein for carrying pressurized gas to the spray nozzle, so that liquid solution and compressed gas may be supplied to the spray nozzle with reduced head loss, better distribution and with less possibility of catastrophic leakage than was possible with tube-based equipment. A method for providing a gastroenteric coating onto an ingestible pharmaceutical product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and mechanisms for encrusting a load of coal to minimize loss of coal dust during transport of a coal load are provided. The mechanisms involve a device, apparatus, and injection unit for applying a rotating stream of aqueous binder composition with sufficient hydraulic force into a load of coal to create a thick protective crust. The binder composition may contain conventional binding agents, but preferably contains wood fibers for formation of the crust. The crust minimizes loss of coal during transport by providing a protective shield against air currents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating seed particles. In one technique, a spray of water droplets is discharged to intersect a spray of liquid sulphur droplets to effect contact between some of the sulphur droplets and water droplets. The cooling sulphur droplets form seed particles. In another technique, water is sprayed into dispersed sulphur granules moving through a processing region. Subsequently, as the water is evaporating from the granules, liquid sulphur is sprayed onto the granules. Some of the liquid sulphur droplets impinge upon the water film-coated granules and solidify to form new seed particles which become detached from the granules. In another technique, a stream of liquid sulphur is discharged under pressure into a receiving region. A plurality of jets of atomizing fluid are injected into the stream to form a spreading spray of liquid sulphur droplets which solidify into seed particles.

Abstract: An arrangement for the application of topical substances to base products. A rotatable star-shaped reel structure is rotated, in which a flowable base product is tumbled while being coated with the topical substance so as to ensure an appropriate uniform distribution of the topical substance on the surfaces of the base product while inhibiting the formation of clump-like agglomerates of coated base product on the internal surfaces of the reel.

Abstract: Particles, such as seeds, are coated with a treatment agent by being introduced into a rotating cylindrical drum into which the treatment agent is supplied. A pair of screw conveyors is disposed within the drum and arranged to rotate about respective axes oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. One of the screw conveyors rotates in the same direction as the drum, and the other screw conveyor rotates in the opposite direction to achieve a rolling motion of the particles as they are axially advanced along the drum.