Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing polymer coated particles, and in particular, a polymer coated fertilizer, wherein the coating material used is, for example, an aqueous film forming latex. The coating process is conducted with a plurality of fluidized beds, connected in series, under conditions such that, preferably, the relative humidity of the air in the initial coating zones is maintained below the critical relative humidity of the particle to be coated. The apparatus and process provides a method to prepare coated particles having a narrow coating weight distribution, and thus allows for the economical production of a slow release fertilizer.

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: An apparatus and method for continuously producing polymer coated particles, and in particular, a polymer coated fertilizer, wherein the coating material used is, for example, an aqueous film forming latex. The coating process is conducted with a plurality of fluidized beds, connected in series, under conditions such that, preferably, the relative humidity of the air in the initial coating zones is maintained below the critical relative humidity of the particle to be coated. The apparatus and process provides a method to prepare coated particles having a narrow coating weight distribution, and thus allows for the economical production of a slow release fertilizer.

Abstract: Seed is treated with a treatment agent within a rotary drum having rows of circumferentially spaced stirring plates mounted therein. When the drum is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis the plates raise seed from the bottom of the drum. At their uppermost positions the plates are inclined so that seed falls from the plates into a vertical passage defined between adjacent rows of plates. Treatment agent is introduced inside the drum such that the agent is applied to the seed traveling downwardly along the vertical passage.

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: Spray apparatus for applying a fixative liquid chemical to freshly loaded railway coal cars includes a pivoting boom mounted atop a column. The column is both rotatable, to enable avoiding encroaching on a railway right of way, and vertically adjustable, to accommodate cars loaded to different heights. Boom pivot and column vertical movement are powered. Three rows of spray nozzles are supported from the boom. Each nozzle has its own valve. A first row of nozzles sprays the frontal, inclined surface of heaped coal. A second row sprays the main body of heaped coal, and a third row sprays the rearward, inclined surface. Photoresponsive sensors initiate spray signals, which are conditioned by timers. Progress of a railway car past these sensors initiates spray signals, which are suitably delayed, then discontinued, by timers. Total spray time for any one car is limited by an additional timer. Train speed is gauged by an observer, after which timing functions are determined to spray each car appropriately.

Abstract: A coating-fluidizing gas supply system for a flat-bottom fluidized bed coater that maintains a high degree of uniform fluidization of levitated particles for a long enough time period to coat medical-device components. The coating-fluidizing gas supply system prevents premature pyrolysis of the coating component of the gas from plugging gas-distributor holes of a flat plate at the bottom of a flat-bottom fluidized bed coater, by directing multiple gas streams uniformly against the entire undersurface of the flat gas-distributor plate, creating an overall cooling-effect on the gas-distributor plate which prevents clogging.

Abstract: Precise control of pyrocarbon being coated upon an object in a fluidized particle bed is achieved by monitoring the weight change of the fluidized particle bed over a period of time. Measurement of such weight change is truly representative of bed size in such a coater, which is a most important factor in achieving the desired characteristics of the pyrocarbon being deposited. By monitoring the bed size by repeatedly determining such changes in the weight, compensating adjustments are made by either adding additional particles to the bed or by changing the rate at which particles are withdrawn so that precise coating characteristics are achieved, and coatings can be deposited within very close thickness tolerances.

Abstract: Comminuted wood is converted to a colored wood product useful as a mulch by feeding the comminuted wood into the lower end of an angularly upward positioned screw conveyor having an internal auger. The comminuted wood is contacted in the lower end of the conveyor by a liquid color-imparting agent, preferably an aqueous solution containing iron oxide pigment, carbon black pigment or a mixture of both pigments. After contacting, rotation of the auger draws the moist colored wood product towards the upper end, permitting runoff of excess liquid agent, which returns by gravity to the basin for further contacting with newly-fed comminuted wood. Colored wood product discharges through a chute at the upper end of the conveyor for further drying, if necessary.

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: Transport apparatus for small sized hardware items includes a fluidized bed with a sloping gas permeable base (6) at the inlet end of the bed. Gas feed chambers (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are located on the lowerside of the base (6) and are sealed from one another in a gas tight manner. Powder columns (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of different heights extend upwardly above the base (6). Gas at different pressures is supplied through the gas feed chambers (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) into the powder columns forming a uniform fluidized bed (2). The base slopes downwardly and has step-like transitions adjacent intersections of the chambers.

Abstract: A fluidized coating apparatus wherein a rotatable perforated disk 2 is provided at the lower portion of a processing cylinder 1 and perforated disk opening portions 3 are provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of this perforated disk 2. The ratio of the total opening area of the perforated disk opening portions 3 to an area of an annular slit 8 formed between the perforated disk 2 and the inner wall of the processing cylinder 1 is within the range from 0.2 to 0.6. Each of the perforated disk opening portions 3 is provided with a cover and side walls so that gas is blown out outwardly in the radial direction or obliquely backward with respect to a rotating direction within 30.degree. to the radial direction of the perforated disk.

Abstract: An apparatus used for coating particles has a vessel in which a rotor which can be rotated about a vertical axis and possesses a disk. During coating of particles, the particles rest on the disk and are moved by the latter as a result of rotation, a process gas also being passed upward through an annular gap present between the wall of the vessel and the disk. The apparatus has at least one atomizing member which projects into the particle bed present on the disk. A coating material which is solid at room temperature is melted at least for the major part, sprayed by means of the atomizing member in the interior of the particle bed and onto the particles, and solidified by cooling. Pore-free and smooth coatings can be applied in this manner.

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 shield, such as an upstanding cylindrical partition, is mounted adjacent to an air source, such as an air distribution plate/screen of a Wurster system processor, whereby the open upper end of the partition is generally horizontally registered with and disposed about the upper extremity of an associated spray nozzle. The open lower end of the inner cylindrical partition is generally sealed relative to the air distribution plate/screen and operative to receive air upwardly therethrough for subsequent passing through the inner partition about the spray nozzle. The upper end of the inner tubular partition shields the initial spray pattern discharged from the spray nozzle and prevents the premature entrance of particles moving into the spray nozzle area.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively delivering fluids from first and second separate fluid supplies to an outlet. The apparatus consists of a valve casing with an internal chamber, a valve cartridge for placement within the internal valve casing chamber, cooperating structure on the valve and valve cartridge for defining separate first and second chambers for first and second fluids, and structure for selectively communicating the first and second chambers with the fluid outlet to thereby selectively cause the first and second fluids to be discharged from the apparatus.

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: An apparatus and method for continuously producing polymer coated particles, and in particular, a polymer coated fertilizer, wherein the coating material used is, for example, an aqueous film forming latex. The coating process is conducted with a plurality of fluidized beds, connected in series, under conditions such that, preferably, the relative humidity of the air in the initial coating zones is maintained below the critical relative humidity of the particle to be coated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus useful for fluidizing small particulate solids having a diameter of less than about 50 microns in average particle size, and at least partially enveloping these small solids with a coating material or a precursor thereto. The basis apparatus of this invention includes a cross-current multi-stage fluid bed reactor having N fluid beds in flow communication with one another, wherein N.gtoreq.2.

Abstract: A method for coating surfaces of a powdered material includes forming a Coanda flow of a Coanda spiral flow of a powdered material by flowing the powdered material through a Coanda spiral flow forming passage or a Coanda flow forming passage by introducing a pressurized gas into the flow forming passage through a Coanda slit therearound, supplying the thus formed Coanda flow or Coanda spiral flow of powdered material into a further Coanda spiral flow forming passage, and atomizing a liquid coating material with a liquid gas and then directing the atomized liquid coating material into the Coanda flow or Coanda spiral flow of powdered material through a Coanda slit in the further Coanda spiral flow forming passage.

Abstract: At least a percentage of iron ore pellets and the like for use in a direct reduction process for the production of sponge iron are coated with a thin porous coating of Portland cement to counteract tendency to aggregate. This is accomplished by method and apparatus that mixes water and cement powder at the point of delivery in a manner such that no pumps are subjected to a wet cement slurry. The slurry is mixed and maintained in suspension by air agitation in a bin and then flowed through a bin discharge pipe and sprayed therefrom onto a passing layer of pellets in a controlled manner by regulated air injection into the discharage pipe.

Abstract: In a method of operating a fluidized bed, gas under pressure is distributed into the bed through a gas permeable member extending transverse to the bed and a gas permeable wall of a discharge conduit wherein the relative permeability of the gas permeable member and the conduit is selected so as to obtain a desired distribution of gas entering the bed and a desired effect on the fluidization pattern in the bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for coating relatively small quantities of particles including tablets, pellets, or granules. The device effectively fluidizes the particles to be coated by controlled vibration of a perforated platform through which drying air is passed during intermittent spraying of the particles with a solution of organic or aqueous-based coating material. The method coats individual tablets having as low a mass as 50 mg and coats quantities ranging from less than about 50 mg to 10 g of tablets, pellets, or granules.

Abstract: A low temperature process for coating polymer granules with additives in order to modify the properties of the polymer comprises contacting a fluidized bed of the polymer granules with an aqueous dispersion of additives.

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: Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a plurality of nozzles for spraying a liquid substance on a product. The nozzles have different flow volumes and are located adjacent the product. A sensor measures the quantity of the product, and a control responsive to the sensor opens selected nozzles to produce a desired ratio of the quantity of the substance to the quantity of the product. There is further provided another sensor for measuring the quantity of the substance, the control being responsive to the two sensors and operative to determine the actual ratio of the quantity of the substance to the quantity of the product and to adjust the actual ratio to match the desired ratio.

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: A method of performing granulating, coating, drying of a powdry or granular material having a relatively minute particle diameter and an apparatus therefor. A nozzle for supplying the powdery or granular material and a nozzle for supplying a coating liquid are parallelly provided at adjacent positions where air streams dispersed from the both nozzles are not in contact with each other and directed to the interior of a processing cylinder. The two nozzles are connected to compressed air sources independently of each other. Drying air-stream blow-in openings are provided on the way from collision of the powdery or granular material and the coating material to catching thereof. Drying air streams are supplied from a direction tangent to the processing cylinder having a circular section.

Abstract: A batch of seed materials is film-coated with a gas- and water-permeable, thin, adherent, uniform non-phytotoxic continuous surface film of a polymeric film-former, by (a) establishing and continuously maintaining a unit compact volume of moisture-containing viable seed materials in a state of continuous agitation and (b) continuously spraying and coating this unit compact volume of seed materials with an adjusted essentially steady predetermined flow rate of a liquid solution or suspension of a polymeric film-former, while simultaneously (i) continuously positively drying the coated seed materials by continuously directing a predetermined flow rate of a gaseous feedstream thereagainst that is at a controlled temperature less than that would adversely affect the viability thereof, (ii) continuously monitoring the temperature within the unit compact volume of seed materials in a state of continuous agitation and (iii) continuously maintaining a moisture content in the final product coated seed materials essent

Abstract: In a container (12) a treatment space (14) for substance (16) is arranged and therebelow a wind chamber (22). The wind chamber (22) is defined upwardly by a circular rotor disc (42) which is rotatable drivably about an upright central (42) which is rotatable drivably about an upright central axis (A) and has at least one opening (44) which is elongated in approximately radial direction and which allows a gas stream (50) from the wind chamber (22) into the treatment space (14). The rotor disc (42) forms the sole partition between wind chamber (22) and treatment space (14). Associated with the or each opening (44) of the rotor disc (42) is a closure means which is opened in normal operation but is closable for stopping the apparatus. Stationarily arranged above the rotor disc (42) is at least one retaining blade (98) which prevents substance lying on the rotor (40) from rotating with the latter.

Abstract: A granulating and coating method using the drying air streams to effectuate granulating, coating and drying and apparatus therefore wherein:a nozzle for supplying an article to be coated and another nozzle for supplying a coating material are provided at such positions that the article to be coated and the coating material collide with each other before the article to be coated and the coating material are dispersed by the drying air streams.

Abstract: Described is a device for obtaining a foam spray-dried product of predetermined bulk density. Thereto a nozzle for spraying a foaming gas comprising liquid is surrounded by a tube for supplying a gas which comprises dry particulate material to the jet of nozzle.Means are present to accurately control the ratio of solids in the liquid to be sprayed and the dry particulate material.The method described that the dry particulate material is made to collide with the jet from the nozzle and that the speed of the gas transporting said dry material is lower than 20 m/sec and preferably from 6 to 12 m/sec.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and spraying a slurry. The apparatus comprises a housing including a channel. The channel is in fluid communication with an inlet at its upstream end and curves to an outlet at its downstream end. The outlet is in fluid communication with an air atomization nozzle. A mixing surface is capable of rotation with respect to the housing and the channel is open to the mixing surface.

Abstract: A granulating and coating method featuring that a coating liquid and a binder liquid are fed into a rotary drum so as to carry out granulating and coating of a powdery and/or granular material, wherein the coating is performed while a gas is blown out to the rear of the rotating direction of the drum relative to a nozzle unit for feeding the coating liquid of an aqueous type including an emulsion and a suspension into the drum. A granulating and coating apparatus featuring that a nozzle unit for feeding at least one of a coating liquid and a binder liquid into a rotary drum is provided, wherein a gas blow-out portion of a duct is provided near the nozzle unit and the direction of the blow-out is adjustable relative to the nozzle unit. Further the apparatus is provided with a perforated ventilating member over a gas blow-out opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for coating the cathode of an electron gun with a thermionic emissive substance comprising the steps of producing a plasma within a nozzle body, injecting nitrogen, hydrogen, helium or argon, or mixtures thereof into said nozzle body, and feeding a powder or sintered bodies of said thermionic emissive substance around the negative electrode of said plasma, whereby said thermionic emissive substance is sprayed and deposited on the metal cap of said cathode in an oxidized state under the heat and pressure of said plasma. The nozzle body oscillates around a pivot while a plurality of electron gun cathodes move on a curved carrier in front of the nozzle for depositing the emissive substance in a zig zag path across the plurality of cathodes.

Abstract: By agglomeration in a high speed mixer spherical granules having a desired granule size distribution are obtained by supplying the agglomeration liquid by means of an atomizer wheel axially positioned in the high speed mixer and by controlling the quantity and evaporation of said liquid in consideration of the changes occurring with respect to water binding ability of the agglomerates during compaction. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a mixer bowl with an impeller on a central shaft through the bottom of the bowl and an atomizer with an atomizer wheel with its shaft in alignment with the shaft of the impeller.

Abstract: A method of applying particulate matter to a cable core comprising providing first and second chambers, both of which have entrance and exit ports, the first chamber containing particulate matter and the exit port of the second chamber containing an air wipe which includes a cable core passageway in communication with the interior and exterior of the second chamber and at least one air passageway which is in communication with the cable core passageway and has an elongated longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the cable core passageway so that gas flowing through such a passageway is directed into the second chamber; passing a cable core through the first chamber and applying particulate matter to it to form a coated core; passing the coated core through the second chamber and said air wipe; and, forcing a gas through the air passageway in the air wipe onto the coated core to remove a predetermined amount of particulate matter from the coated core and transmit same into the

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: An apparatus for stabilizing treatment of ferromagnetic metal powder which apparatus makes it possible to form a surface-oxidized film on the powder which is as uniform and dense as possible and to afford ferromagnetic metal powder having a good quality, and which apparatus is characterized by comprising a horizontal, cylindrical, rotating type body of reactor; a feeding port for the ferromagnetic metal powder into the body; a withdrawing port for the ferromagnetic metal powder from the body; a blowing passageway for an oxidizing gas into the body; and a withdrawing passageway for the oxidizing gas from the body.

Abstract: A nodulizing machine for use in an apparatus for making loose fill insulation from mineral fibers comprises an input portal, a conduit containing a plurality of blades and an output portal. Apparatus for making loose fill insulation from mineral fibers comprises a duct extending from a source of the mineral fibers to the nodulizing machine of the present invention. The apparatus includes flow rate control means to control the flow rate of air and mineral fibers in the apparatus. A process for making loose fill insulation from mineral fibers in association with the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus whereby seeds, in particular unginned cottonseeds having lint, may be wetted with liquid active ingredients. To achieve this, the cottonseeds are separated in a feeder and metering device having conveyor screws and a baffle, and fitted uniformly into a spray chamber. In the spray chamber an atomizer produces a fine spray mist and wets the dropping seed grains. The grains drop into a mixing and transport chamber wherein they are mixed by mixer and agitator shafts. A conveyor screw transports the seed during the mixing slowly toward an inlet opening.

Abstract: A powder processing apparatus of the fluidized bed type wherein air is blown into a cylindrical container through its bottom to perform various treatments while keeping powder in the container in fluidized condition. Air fed in through an opening in the bottom surface of the container is introduced into a rotating hollow frusto-conical body and is allowed to blow out in the centrifugal direction from an air diffusion clearance defined between the skirt end of the frusto-concial body and the bottom surface of the container, thereby forming a fluidized bed of powder. The portion of the bottom surface around the opening rises and/or a member made of air-permeable material is installed in the opening in the bottom surface to prevent passage of powder; this arrangement, coupled with the air current blowing out of the air diffusion clearance, prevents entry and hence flow-out of powder.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle for use in a fluidized coating bed includes an elongated hollow tube defining a chamber therein, the tube including an atomizing end in fluid communication with the chamber and a supply end; an air supply port at the supply end in fluid communication with the chamber; a coating liquid supply port at the supply end, the coating liquid supply port being separated from the air supply port; and a flow control tube extending within the hollow tube between the liquid supply port and the atomizing end, for supplying the coating liquid to be atomized to the atomizing end, the flow control tube having an reduced diameter inner bore providing a controlled flow constriction to the liquid travelling from the liquid supply port to the atomizing end so as to supply the coating liquid from the coating liquid supply port to the atomizing end with a controlled flow constriction, such that there is no need to provide a metering pump or flow meter for each atomizing nozzle of the fluidized coating bed and co

Abstract: A new process for continuously preparing granules having narrow grain size distribution, comprisinga. spraying the product to be granulated in liquid form into a fluidized bed,b. separating the proportions of fine material escaping from the fluidized bed from the off-gas and returning said fine material to the fluidized bed as nuclei for granule formation,c. setting the fluidizing gas flow such that granules are formed which are of a predetermined size, andd. removing the completed granules solely by way of at least one countercurrent gravity classifier inserted into the outflow bottom of the fluidized-bed vessel.A new apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention and new granules.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a fixed cylindrical housing and a centrifugal disc closing the housing in the manner of a base, which disc is rigidly connected to a motor driven shaft. Above the centrifugal disc a ring is fitted into the housing. The distance of that ring from the centrifugal disc is such that material propelled outwards by the centrifugal disc and upwards at the wall of the housing is positively deflected at the lower curved surface of the ring.

Abstract: A gravity feed apparatus has a plurality of deflecting baffles positioned within a treatment chamber to disperse a flow of plant seed within a treatment chamber and apply sprays of a chemical solution used to treat the plant seed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for coating relatively small quantities of particles including tablets, pellets or granules. The device effectively fluidizes the particles to be coated by controlled vibration of a perforated platform through which drying air is passed during intermittent spraying of the particles with a solution of organic or aqueous-based coating material. The method coats individual tablets having as low a mass as 50 mg and coats quantities ranging from less than about 50 mg to 10 g of tablets, pellets, or granules.

Abstract: An improved, high efficiency rotary drum dryer and method is disclosed which achieves outstanding thermal efficiencies by provision of a multiple-pass rotary dryer designed so that the product to be dried is first conveyed through an outermost drum of relatively large cross-sectional area and then through succeeding internal drums of progressively smaller cross-sectional areas. In this way, the velocity of induced air currents traveling through the dryer increases from pass to pass, with the result that the net velocity of product through successive passes also increases. The preferred dryer also includes housing structure in surrounding relationship to the innermost drum permitting introduction of relatively low humidity ambient-derived air into the central drum so as to lower the partial pressure of moisture in the drying atmosphere, thus promoting the final stage of drying.