Patent ID: 8001920

Claim:
An apparatus for coating a food product comprising: a drum configured for rotation around a longitudinal central axis of said drum and having a loading end with an opening for receiving a food product, a discharge end with an opening for the discharge of coated food product therefrom and an opening for receiving a coating product; a generally spiral grate extending within said drum from adjacent said loading end to adjacent said discharge end, said spiral grate having a center rod extending substantially along said longitudinal central axis of said drum, wherein said spiral grate defines a radial gap relative to said longitudinal central axis adjacent said discharge end of said drum; a drive mechanism for rotating said drum and said spiral grate; and a discharge ramp adjacent said discharge end of said drum configured to convey food product discharged from said drum away from said drum, wherein said discharge ramp is supported so that a portion of said ramp is disposed within said radial gap.