Patent ID: 8887659
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: A01C,A23G,A61J,A61K,B01J,B05B,B05C,B05D

Abstract:
1. A continuous coating apparatus for pellets comprising: a frame, a trough elongated along a linear direction of elongation and having an inlet and an outlet separated from each other by a longitudinal distance along said linear direction of elongation and being pivoted on a stationary pivot axis in fixed relationship to the frame and to said trough, said stationary pivot axis being substantially parallel to said linear direction of elongation; feeding means for continuously delivering pellets to be coated into the trough at a location adjacent the inlet and establishing, in the trough, a bed of pellets which travels longitudinally along the trough as pellets are delivered by the feeding means; a weir disposed in the trough adjacent the outlet, the weir having an edge, adjacent said outlet, over which pellets are discharged as pellets to be coated are delivered to the trough by the feeding means, said edge establishing a maximum level of said bed of pellets in the trough; at least one spray nozzle disposed above the maximum level of said bed of pellets in the trough, each spray nozzle being arranged to direct a spray of liquefied coating material toward pellets in the trough at an intermediate location between the inlet and outlet of the trough; mechanical energy-imparting means, connected to the trough at a location spaced laterally from said stationary pivot axis, for vibrating the trough about said stationary pivot axis by applying a series of impulse components to the trough at a rate and intensity sufficient to maintain a bed of pellets therein in a substantially fluidized state, and to cause the pellets of the bed to circulate in a path transverse to the linear direction of elongation of the trough as the pellets travel longitudinally along the trough so that substantially all of the pellets of said bed of pellets become exposed to the spray of liquefied coating material.