Thomas J Casey

US Patent:

46393838, Jan 27, 1987

Filed:

Apr 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/854735

Inventors:

Thomas J. Casey - Barrington Hills IL

Assignee:

Thomas Engineering, Inc. - Hoffman Estates IL

International Classification:

B05D 102

US Classification:

427213

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for coating particulate granules is disclosed. The method is practiced by providing a fluidized charge of granules suspended in a flow of a drying gas within a rotating perforated coating pan. A portion of the fluidized granules is drawn along the pan's surface to a position above the fluidized charge of granules and allowed to cascade back into the fluidized charge. Flow of the drying gas is concentrated in the vicinity of the granules movement, and a coating material is dispensed onto the moving granules. The apparatus disclosed comprises a rotating perforated pan having gas inlet and exhaust plenums in contact with the rotating pan's exterior. The inlet plenum introduces a stream of drying gas to fluidize and suspend the agitated granules; the outlet plenum exhausts the drying gas and thereby draws granules along the pan's inner surface to the outlet plenum's position. A means for rotating the pan is provided, as is a pump or vacuum source for drawing granules to the exhaust plenum's location. Means for dispensing coating material within the pan are provided.