Abstract:
A batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which includes a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising at least one of a submerger and an overflow structure that is adapted to be positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for tilting the structure relative to a reference horizontal surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/677,412, filed Feb. 21, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally related to the field of food processing, and, more specifically, to a batter applicator with an adjustable tilt control for a submerger or coating mechanism. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A batter applicator is used to coat food products in a controlled fashion so as to provide a uniform coating for a wide range of batter viscosities. Batter applicators may be employed to apply batter to many types of food products, e.g., chicken, vegetables, etc. Typically, the food is run through the batter applicator device wherein the food is submerged in a tank of batter or passed through a curtain of batter as it passes through the batter applicator. The purpose of the submerger and the curtain of batter is to insure that the food material is thoroughly coated with the batter. 
     In some cases, it is desirable to change the spacing between the main batter tank and the submerger or mechanism used to generate the curtain of batter. For example, such adjustments may be made due to processing different types of food of differing size and shape and/or using different types of batter, perhaps with differing viscosities. In prior art batter application devices, such spacing adjustments were typically accomplished by manually removing or loosening four bolts (or other mechanical fasteners) that supported the submerger or curtain generating mechanism and vertically repositioning the submerger or curtain generating device. Thereafter, the four bolts had to be re-inserted and/or retightened. Such a system for achieving the desired spacing was difficult for many reasons. For example, such a system required the machine operator to have and keep up with a separate tool for adjusting the bolts. The operator also had to move from side to side of the machine to make the necessary adjustments. Additionally, maintaining the submerger or curtain device level was difficult as all four bolts had to be adjusted equally. Moreover, using the prior art machine, such spacing adjustments were difficult to make while the machine was in use. 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus for solving, or at least reducing the effects of, some or all of the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, a batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which comprises a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising at least one of a submerger and an overflow structure that is adapted to be positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for tilting the structure relative to a reference horizontal surface. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, the batter applicator comprises a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising at least one of a submerger and an overflow structure that is adapted to be positioned proximate the main batter tank and a lifting device comprising a plurality of lift pins that are adapted to adjust the tilt of the structure relative to a reference horizontal surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a batter applicator in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective side views of the main tank and frame of the illustrative batter applicator disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an illustrative submerger that may be employed with various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  are various views of an illustrative lifting device that may be employed with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are various views of another illustrative lifting device that may be employed with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another illustrative embodiment of a batter applicator in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the present subject matter are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The present subject matter will now be described with reference to the attached figures. The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase. 
     FIGS.  1  and  2 A- 2 B are perspective views of an illustrative batter applicator apparatus  10  that may be employed in the food industry to apply batter to a food product. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices disclosed herein may be employed with a variety of different foods, e.g., poultry and vegetables, and thus should not be considered as limited to use with any particular type of food. Moreover, the batter applicator  10  described herein may be employed to apply a variety of different batters to different food products. 
     The apparatus  10  generally comprises a frame  12 , a food inlet  14 , a food outlet  16  and a control panel  18 . The apparatus  10  further comprises a main batter tank  19 , an overflow tank  20 , a conveyor  22 , an electric motor  24  to drive the conveyor  22  and a pump  25 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  further comprises an overflow structure  26  that is adapted to provide a curtain of batter material through which the food must pass as it moves from the food inlet  14  to the food outlet  16 . The overflow structure  26  comprises a generally plate-like body  28 , associated piping  30 , and support brackets  27  coupled to the body  28 . The overflow structure  26  further comprises a batter inlet  31 . In operation, the pump  25  is used to supply batter to the batter inlet  31  of the overflow structure  26  through a hose (not shown) that is coupled to both the pump  25  and the batter inlet  31 . Batter is supplied to the pump  25  via a hose (not shown) coupled to the overflow tank  20 . 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 1  is a support bracket  29  that is operatively coupled to or engages a plurality of lift pins  56 . The operation of the lift pins  56  will be described later. The upper surface  23  of the support bracket  29  is adapted to engage the underside of the support bracket  27 . The overflow structure  26  further comprises a plurality of guides  34  having a guide hole  36  formed therein. The guides  34  are integrally formed with or coupled to the plate-like body  28 . The apparatus  10  further comprises a plurality of guide pins  32  attached to the frame  12 . As will be described more fully below, the overflow structure  26  is free to move vertically relative to the frame  12  of the apparatus  10 . During such vertical movement, the guide pins  32  and the guides  34  maintain the overflow structure  26  in its proper horizontal location. 
     Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the particular details of the overflow structure  26  is provided by way of example only. Many variations as to the shape and configuration of the overflow structure  26  are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     The illustrative batter applicator  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  is provided with the overflow structure  26  and is designed to provide a curtain of batter as food passes through the apparatus  10 . However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the device disclosed herein may be employed to raise or lower other structures associated with a batter applicator  10 . For example,  FIG. 3  depicts an illustrative submerger device  40  that may be employed with the device disclosed herein. Such submerger devices  40  are well known to those skilled in the art and may have a variety of shapes and configurations. Thus, the details of the illustrative submerger device  40  depicted herein should not be considered a limitation of the present invention. In some cases, multiple structures, such as the overflow structure  26  and the submerger device  40 , may be raised or lowered as a single unit, or they may be raised or lowered independently. 
     In general, the purpose of the submerger device  40  is to insure that food is submerged in the batter in the main batter tank  19  as the food progresses through the batter applicator  10 . The illustrative submerger device  40  depicted herein comprises a frame  42  that is comprised of flanges  43  and a plurality of guide holes  46  formed in the flanges  43 . The guide holes  46  are adapted to guidingly engage the guide pins  32  (see  FIG. 1 ) on the frame  12  of the batter applicator  10 . The submerger device  40  further comprises an electric motor  47  adapted to drive a plurality of drive sprockets  48 . The submerger device  40  further comprises a plurality of idler rollers  49 . In operation, a belt (not shown) is positioned around the idler rollers  49  and drive sprockets  48  and rotated as food passes through the batter applicator  10 . This action insures that food is submerged in the main batter tank  19  and is fully coated with batter. 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  are various views of the lift device  50  of the present invention. The lift device  50  generally comprises a frame  51  of various structural members  53 , a plurality of lift pins  56 , having end surfaces  70 , an actuator device  52 , e.g., a hand wheel, a shaft  55 , a gear box  57  and a screw lift assembly  58 . Of course, the size, shape and configuration of the various components of the lift device  50  may vary depending upon the particular application. Thus, the illustrative details depicted herein for the lift device  50  should not be considered a limitation of the present invention. In one illustrative embodiment, the gear box  57  may be a miter gear box having a 1:1 gear ratio. Of course, gear boxes with different gear ratios may be employed. The lift pins  32  may have any desired diameter, e.g., 0.5-1.5 inches. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the gear box  57  and shaft  55  are operably coupled to the frame  12 . For example, the gear box  57  may be fastened to a support member  12 A of the frame  12  by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. One end of the shaft  55  may be coupled to the frame  12  via a bearing flange  59 , which allows the shaft  55  to rotate therein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4D , the center structural member  53 C of the lifting device  50  may be operatively coupled to the screw lift assembly  58  via a threaded block  72 . The threaded block  72  is coupled to the center structural member  53 C by a plurality of mechanical fasteners  74 , e.g., screws, bolts, etc. As the screw lift assembly  58  is rotated, via the actuator device  52  and gear box  57 , the frame  51  travels up or down the screw lift assembly  58  via the engagement of the threaded block  72 . The movement of the frame  51  causes a corresponding movement of the lift pins  56 . It should be understood that although an illustrative hand wheel is depicted, the actuator device  52  may be a portion of a device or structure that is capable of causing movement of the lift pins  56 . 
     In operation, the lift device  50  is used to raise or lower a structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 , relative to the main batter tank  19  of the batter applicator  10 . In some embodiments, the end surfaces  70  of the lift pins  32  may directly engage some portion of the structures to be moved relative to the main batter tank  19 , e.g., the end surfaces  70  may engage the underside of the flanges  43  of the submerger  40 . In the illustrative example depicted in  FIG. 1 , the end surfaces  70  of the lift pins  32  engage or are attached to the bottom surface  29 A of the support brackets  29  that, in turn, engage the brackets  27  of the overflow structure  26 . The lift pins  56  extend through openings  39  (see  FIGS. 2A-2B ) formed in the frame  12  of the batter applicator  10 . Depending upon the particular application, the end surface  70  of the lift pins  56  may only engage a portion of the structure to be lifted, or they may actually be coupled to another structure, such as the structure  29  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Ultimately, the lift pins  56  may directly engage the member to be lifted (as in the illustrative example depicted in  FIG. 6  employing the submerger  40 ) or they may indirectly engage the structure to be lifted via a variety of intermediate members, such as the bracket  29  that engages the underside of the flanges  27  on the overflow structure  26  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment where the submerger device  40  is employed (see  FIG. 6 ), the end surface  70  of the lift pins  56  is adapted to engage the underside of the flanges  43  of the frame  42 . Thus, when reference is made to the lift pins  56  being operatively engaged or operatively coupled to another structure, it should be understood that such language is intended to cover direct coupling between the lift pins  56  and such a structure or indirect coupling via one or more intermediate structures between the lift pin  56  and such a structure. 
     In operation, an operator of the batter applicator  10  may raise or lower a structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 , or a combination of both, relative to the main batter tank  19  by rotating the hand wheel  52 . A measuring device or bracket  33  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4B ) is provided to accurately determine the vertical position of the lifted structure relative to some point of reference, e.g., the bottom of the main batter tank  19 . As the hand wheel  52  is rotated, the frame  51  and lift pins  56  travel upward on the screw lift  58 . In turn, the end surfaces  70  of the lift pins  56  operative engage and cause upward movement of the desired device or structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 . The guide pins  32  and guards or openings  34 ,  46  act to maintain the moved structure in the desired horizontal position. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  are various views of another lift device  50 A of the present invention. The lift device  50 A provides additional capabilities relative to the lift device  50  shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D . The lift device  50 A contains many structural similarities to the lifting device  50 . Thus, only a brief review of some aspects of the lift device  50 A will be described, with the understanding that like reference numbers refer to similar structures. The lift device  50 A generally comprises a frame  51  of various structural members  53 , a plurality of lift pins  56 A, having end surfaces  70 , an actuator device  52 , e.g., a handle, a shaft  55 , a gear box  57  and a screw lift assembly  58 . The lift pins  56 A comprise a threaded end  80 , a handle  81 , a stop nut  82  with tabs  85 , and a fixed nut  83 . The threaded end  80  of the lift pins  56 A extend through one or more of the structural members  53  of the frame  51 . An indicator pin  84  is coupled to a portion of the frame  51 . A measuring device or bracket  33  (see  FIG. 5C ) is coupled directly or indirectly to the frame  12  or some other desired point of reference. Of course, the size, shape and configuration of the various components of the lift device  50 A may vary depending upon the particular application. Thus, the illustrative details depicted herein for the lift device  50 A should not be considered a limitation of the present invention. In one illustrative embodiment, the gear box  57  may be a miter gear box having a 1:1 gear ratio. Of course, gear boxes with different gear ratios may be employed. The lift pins  56 A may have any desired diameter, e.g., 0.5-1.5 inches. 
     The gear box  57  and shaft  55  may be operably coupled to the frame  12  as previously described for the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D . For example, the gear box  57  may be fastened to a support member  12 A of the frame  12  by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. One end of the shaft  55  may be coupled to the frame  12  via a bearing flange  59 , which allows the shaft  55  to rotate therein. 
     The center structural member  53 C of the lifting device  50 A may be operatively coupled to the screw lift assembly  58 , as previously described. The threaded block  72  is coupled to the center structural member  53 C by a plurality of mechanical fasteners  74 , e.g., screws, bolts, etc. As the screw lift assembly  58  is rotated, via the actuator device  52  and gear box  57 , the frame  51  travels up or down the screw lift assembly  58  via the engagement of the threaded block  72 . The movement of the frame  51  causes a corresponding movement of the lift pins  56 A. It should be understood that although an illustrative handle is depicted, the actuator device  52  may be a portion of a device or structure that is capable of causing movement of the lift pins  56 . 
     The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C  may be used as described previously with respect to the lift device  50  depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4D . However, unlike the lift device  50  depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4D , in the lift device  50 A depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the height or length of each of the lift pins  56 A is independently adjustable due to the addition of the threaded end  80  and its interaction with the other components described previously. With the individually adjustable lift pins  56 A, the tilt or level of a structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 , relative to a reference horizontal plane may be adjusted. For example, by lowering or raising the front two lift pins  56 A, the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40  may be made to tilt forward or rearward, respectively, relative to any reference horizontal surface. The length of the pins  56 A may be employed to cause the engaged structure to tilt from side to side as well, if desired. By controlling the length of the lift pins  56 A, the engaged structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 , may be tilted from front to back, from side to side, or a combination thereof. In one particular example, the lift pins  56 A may be used to adjust the tilt of such a structure so that more or less batter is applied to the food as it passes through the machine. As with the previous embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the lift device  50 A depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C  may also be uniformly raised by raising the frame  51 . In some applications, only a single adjustable length lift pin  56 A may be employed to control the tilt of the structure. For example, three pins may be employed to define a plane, e.g., such pins may be spaced in a triangular pattern, and only one of the pins may have an adjustable length like that described for the pins  56 A. Thus, various configurations are possible with the present invention. 
     The length of the pins  56 A may be readily adjusted. The fixed nut  83  may, in one embodiment, be welded to the structural member  53 . The stop nut  82  may be loosened by engaging the tabs  85 . Thereafter, the effective length of the lift pin  56 A, e.g., the distance between the end surface  70  and the top of the frame  51 , may be adjusted by rotating the lift pin  56 A, via the handle  81 , within the fixed nut  83 . The indicator pin  84  travels within the slot  86  within the measuring device or bracket  33 , i.e., a length or tilt indicator. In one embodiment, each of the lift pins  56 A may have an associated measuring device or bracket  33  positioned adjacent the lift pin  56 A. The position of the indicator pin  84  within the slot  86  may be indicative of the absolute or relative effective length of the lift pins  56 A and/or the relative or absolute position of the ends  70 . Once one or more of the lift pins  56 A are set at their desired height, the stop nut  82  may be tightened. 
     In operation, the lift device  50 A may be used to raise or lower a structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 , relative to the main batter tank  19  of the batter applicator  10 . The lift device  50 A may also be employed to tilt or control the tilt of an engaged structure, e.g., the overflow structure  26  or the submerger  40 . In some embodiments, the end surfaces  70  of the lift pins  56 A may directly engage some portion of the structures to be moved or tilted relative to the main batter tank  19 , e.g., the end surfaces  70  may engage the underside of the flanges  43  of the submerger  40 . The end surfaces  70  of the lift pins  56 A may engage or be attached to the bottom surface  29 A of the support brackets  29  that, in turn, engage the brackets  27  of the overflow structure  26 . The lift pins  56 A may extend through openings  39  (see  FIGS. 2A-2B ) formed in the frame  12  of the batter applicator  10 . Depending upon the particular application, the end surface  70  of the lift pins  56 A may only engage a portion of the structure to be lifted, or they may actually be coupled to another structure, such as the structure  29  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Ultimately, the lift pins  56 A may directly engage the member to be lifted (as in the illustrative example employing the submerger  40 ) or they may indirectly engage the structure to be lifted via a variety of intermediate members, such as the bracket  29  that engages the underside of the flanges  27  on the overflow structure  26  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment where the submerger device  40  is employed, the end surface  70  of the lift pins  56 A is adapted to engage the underside of the flanges  43  of the frame  42 . Thus, when reference is made to the lift pins  56 A being operatively engaged or operatively coupled to another structure, it should be understood that such language is intended to cover direct coupling between the lift pins  56 A and such a structure or indirect coupling via one or more intermediate structures between the lift pin  56  and such a structure. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. For example, the process steps set forth above may be performed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.