Patent ID: 8745890

Claim:
A tray dryer for use in drying product, comprising: an inner support column, wherein an axis extends in the vertical direction and the inner support column is located so that at least a portion of the inner support column is located from the axis in the radial direction; a tray stack having trays that rotate about the axis, wherein the product is transferred between the trays of the tray stack; an outer support column that is located such that at least a portion of the tray stack is located between the outer support column and the inner support column in the radial direction, wherein the inner support column and the outer support column are stationary with respect to the axis; and a plurality of driving gears that engage the trays of the tray stack that rotate about the axis, wherein the driving gears are located such that the driving gears engage an outer edge of the trays of the tray stack that rotate about the axis.