Coating apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coating apparatus (1) and a method for coating a food product with a powdered material (77) by means of said coating apparatus. The coating apparatus (1) includes a conveyor belt (4) arranged in a housing (15) for conveying the food product in a conveying direction (9), wherein the conveyor belt is at least partially permeable to the powdered material. A first layer (78) of powdered material is produced on the conveyor belt, onto which the food product (76) can be placed. The coating apparatus also includes a coating machine (29) for coating a second layer of powdered material onto the conveyed food product. A discharge bin (17) is arranged within the conveyor belt for storing and receiving the powdered material passing downstream of the guide plates (10, 11) along the conveyor belt, wherein the plates (19) define the upstream end of the discharge bin for retaining the powdered material in the discharge bin and forming a buffer of the powdered material in the discharge bin.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a coating apparatus for coating food products with powdered materials and a method for coating food products with powdered materials using such a coating apparatus.

[0002] Food products such as meat or fish often require coating with powdered materials like flour or breadcrumbs before further processing or freezing. Coating food products can be done using an active coating device. This device includes a conveyor belt for transporting the food products. The conveyor belt can be a wire mesh. Therefore, the powdered material can pass through the conveyor belt. The coating device also includes a coating machine, a discharge hopper, a loading hopper, and a conveyor for transporting the powdered material from the discharge hopper to the loading hopper.

[0003] A bed or layer of powdered material is provided on a conveyor belt. Food products are placed on this powdered material layer. The food products are then conveyed to a coating machine positioned above them. The coating machine applies another layer of powdered material on top of the food products to completely cover them. Excess powdered material that does not adhere to the food products passes through a mesh conveyor belt into a feed hopper, which serves as a buffer for the powdered material. The powdered material is then transported from the feed hopper to a feed hopper via a conveyor positioned on one of the transverse sides of the conveyor belt. The feed hopper supplies the powdered material to the coating machine.

[0004] A coating apparatus is known from US 2007 / 0264397, comprising a conveyor belt having a lower return path. Powdered material passes through the conveyor and falls onto the lower return path. Additionally, powdered material from an external hopper is supplied to the lower return path. Coating material falls from the lower return path into a transverse feed auger.

[0005] The transverse feed auger transports a portion of the powdered material to a distributing auger, which applies a first (bottom) layer of the powdered material onto the conveyor belt, on which the product is placed. A guide plate is positioned below the conveyor belt to create the first layer of material.

[0006] A transverse feed auger transports another portion of the powdered material to a chute that supplies material to an upper hopper. A second (upper) layer of the powdered material is then applied to the product by a coater positioned above the conveyor and filled from the upper hopper.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved coating apparatus for coating food products with powdered materials.

[0008] This is achieved by the following coating apparatus and method for coating food products with powdered material using such coating apparatus, the coating apparatus comprising:

[0009] A conveyor belt, arranged within a housing, is used to transport food products in a conveying direction. The conveyor belt is at least partially permeable to powdery materials. A guide plate is provided at the upstream end below the conveyor belt, preventing the powdery material from passing over the conveyor belt, thereby creating a first layer of powdery material on the conveyor belt onto which the food products can be placed.

[0010] The feeding hopper is used to store powdery materials.

[0011] A coating machine for applying a second layer of powdered material onto a food product conveyed by a conveyor belt, wherein the coating machine is supplied with powdered material from a feed hopper.

[0012] The feeding hopper, located within the conveyor belt, is used to store powdery materials and to receive powdery materials that pass downstream of the guide plate in the conveying direction.

[0013] A plate, defining the upstream end of the feeding hopper, is used to retain powdered material within the hopper and to form a buffer for the powdered material within it. The thickness of the first layer of powdered material can be adjusted by regulating the gap between the plate and the housing.

[0014] A first upward screw conveyor is used to transport powdery materials from a feed hopper to a feed hopper.

[0015] A second upward spiral conveyor is used to transport powdery materials from a discharge hopper to a feed hopper, wherein the first and second upward spiral conveyors are arranged on two transverse sides of the conveyor belt.

[0016] A transverse screw conveyor, installed in a feed hopper, is used to convey powdered materials to a first upward screw conveyor and a second upward screw conveyor.

[0017] A feed screw conveyor, which extends downstream of the transverse screw conveyor into the discharge hopper, is used to transport powdery materials from an external hopper to the discharge hopper.

[0018] Therefore, a coating apparatus for applying powdered materials to food products is provided. The coating apparatus includes: a conveyor belt for conveying food products, wherein the conveyor belt is at least partially permeable to powdered materials; a loading hopper for storing powdered materials; a coating machine for coating powdered materials onto the food products conveyed by means of the conveyor belt, wherein the coating machine is supplied with powdered materials from the loading hopper; a discharge hopper for storing powdered materials and for receiving powdered materials passing through the conveyor belt; a first upward spiral conveyor for conveying powdered materials from the discharge hopper to the loading hopper; a second upward spiral conveyor for conveying powdered materials from the discharge hopper to the loading hopper, wherein the first and second upward spiral conveyors are arranged on two transverse sides of the conveyor belt; a transverse spiral conveyor for conveying powdered materials to the first and second upward spiral conveyors; and a supply spiral conveyor for conveying powdered materials from an external hopper to the discharge hopper.

[0019] The coating apparatus and method of the present invention produce a more uniform particle size distribution of the powdered material. When manually handling particulate coating materials, the unavoidable impact on the material causes damage and produces relatively fine particles. Therefore, the more manual handling, the more fine particles are produced, and the less uniform the particle size distribution becomes. The coating apparatus and method of the present invention are particularly advantageous for powdered materials such as breadcrumbs, which have relatively large particle sizes.

[0020] By incorporating two upward spiral conveyors positioned on the two transverse sides of the conveyor belt, powdered material can be fed symmetrically into the hopper. This ensures a uniform distribution of the powdered material along the width of the coating unit. This allows the coating unit, particularly the conveyor belt, to be widened, for example, from 700mm to 1000mm. Consequently, the capacity of the coating unit can be increased.

[0021] The food product can be fish or meat such as poultry, beef, or lamb. Specifically, the food product is thinly sliced ​​fish or meat. The powdered material can be flour or fine breadcrumbs. Preferably, the powdered material has a particle size of less than 5 mm. The function of the coating device is to completely coat the food product with the powdered material. After coating the food product, it can be fried, frozen, or further processed in any way. The coating device is an active flour coater, or the coating device can be referred to as an active flour coater. In this document, "active" means that the coating device automatically coats the food product with the powdered material. No manual operation is required to coat the food product with the powdered material.

[0022] The conveyor belt is a loop belt. In this context, "loop" means the conveyor belt is circumferentially closed. The conveyor belt is guided around rollers, at least one of which is driven by a driver. The conveyor belt can be made of metal or plastic. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of filament, particularly of wire mesh. Therefore, the conveyor belt is permeable to powdery materials. The powdery material can pass through the conveyor belt along the direction of gravity.

[0023] In this context, "partially" permeable means that the conveyor belt can have areas that are permeable to powdery materials and other areas that are impermeable to powdery materials. The conveyor belt is guided by guide plates located beneath it. In the areas of the conveyor belt guided by the guide plates, powdery materials cannot pass over the conveyor belt because the guide plates prevent powdery materials from passing over it. In the areas of the conveyor belt not guided by the guide plates, powdery materials can pass over the conveyor belt.

[0024] The coating apparatus has a coordinate system including a length direction (x-direction), a height direction (y-direction), and a width direction (z-direction). These directions are arranged perpendicular to each other. In this document, "vertical" means parallel to the y-direction. In this document, "horizontal" means parallel to the z-direction. The y-direction is arranged parallel to the direction of gravity. A conveyor belt is configured to transport the food product through the coating apparatus along a conveying direction. This conveying direction can be arranged perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Preferably, the conveying direction is arranged parallel to the x-direction.

[0025] The feed hopper, also known as the first hopper, upper storage unit, or first reservoir, stores powdered material and then supplies it to the coating machine. The feed hopper may include a conveyor belt that transports the powdered material from the feed hopper to the coating machine. The feed hopper is rectangular or container-shaped. It includes two opposing side walls or two transverse side walls. When viewed along the direction of gravity or the y-axis, the feed hopper is positioned on top of or above the lower hopper. In other words, the lower hopper is located below the feed hopper.

[0026] The coating machine is positioned downstream of the conveyor belt of the hopper. In this context, "downstream" means that the powdered material is guided from the feed hopper to the coating machine, not the other way around. Therefore, the flow direction of the powdered material is from the feed hopper toward the coating machine. The coating machine is a vibrating belt or includes a vibrating belt that moves left and right in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The coating machine evenly distributes the powdered material onto the food product. The food product is positioned between the conveyor belt and the coating machine.

[0027] The discharge hopper can also be referred to as a second hopper, lower storage unit, or secondary storage. Preferably, the discharge hopper is arranged within the conveyor belt. This means that the circular conveyor belt runs around the discharge hopper. A buffer of powdery material is stored in the discharge hopper. Furthermore, powdery material passing through the permeable conveyor belt is also received or collected in the discharge hopper. Therefore, powdery material passing through the conveyor belt can be recycled.

[0028] The first upward spiral conveyor may be referred to as the first vertical spiral conveyor. In this document, "spiral conveyor" means a conveyor having a rotating conveying screw for transporting powdery materials. The first upward spiral conveyor may be referred to as the first upward auger or the first vertical auger. In this document, "vertical" means parallel to the y-direction. However, the first upward spiral conveyor may also be arranged to be inclined or skewed in the y-direction. In other words, the first upward spiral conveyor is placed vertically, or in an inclined or skewed manner.

[0029] The first upward screw conveyor is configured to transport powdered material from a feed hopper to a feed hopper against the direction of gravity. The first upward screw conveyor includes a first upward conveying screw and a housing for receiving the first upward conveying screw. The first upward conveying screw is driven by a driver. The driver may be an electric motor. The first upward conveying screw may be referred to as a first vertical conveying screw.

[0030] The second upward spiral conveyor can be referred to as a second vertical spiral conveyor. It can also be called a second upward auger or a second vertical auger. Like the first upward spiral conveyor, the second upward spiral conveyor can be placed parallel to the y-direction or inclined towards the y-direction. The second upward spiral conveyor includes a second upward conveying auger and a housing for receiving the second upward conveying auger. The second upward conveying auger is also driven by a driver. It can be referred to as a second vertical conveying auger. Preferably, the first and second upward conveying augers are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by a distance.

[0031] In this document, "lateral side" means that, when viewed along the conveying direction, the conveyor belt has a first lateral side and a second lateral side. These lateral sides are arranged opposite to each other. When viewed along the z-direction, these lateral sides are positioned a distance apart from each other. On each of the lateral sides, one of the upward spiral conveyors is placed. For example, the first upward spiral conveyor is arranged on the first lateral side, and the second upward spiral conveyor is arranged on the second lateral side.

[0032] A transverse screw conveyor can also be called a horizontal screw conveyor. A transverse screw conveyor is configured to transport powdery materials along the z-direction or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt. A transverse screw conveyor includes a transverse conveying screw element. The transverse conveying screw element can also be called a horizontal conveying screw element. A transverse screw conveyor is configured to simultaneously transport powdery materials to a first upward conveying screw element and a second upward conveying screw element.

[0033] The feed screw conveyor includes a feed screw that can be arranged horizontally. The feed screw is configured to transport powdered material from an external hopper to a discharge hopper. The external hopper can be part of the coating apparatus. The feed screw conveyor can replace the powdered material that leaves the coating apparatus along with the food product.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the transverse screw conveyor includes a transverse conveying screw, wherein the transverse conveying screw has a first thread and a second thread, wherein the first thread and the second thread have opposite directions of rotation.

[0035] Preferably, the first thread and the second thread have the same pitch. Since the first thread and the second thread have opposite directions of rotation, powdered material can be simultaneously transported to both the first and second upward screw conveyors using only one transverse conveying auger. As mentioned earlier, the transverse conveying auger can be referred to as a horizontal conveying auger. The transverse conveying auger is arranged horizontally. However, the transverse conveying auger can also be arranged at an angle or at an incline.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first thread and the second thread meet at the center between the transverse sides of the conveyor belt.

[0037] A gap can be provided between the first thread and the second thread. The first thread and the second thread can meet at the center of the transverse conveying auger. When viewed along the z-direction, the conveyor belt can be divided into a first section or first half and a second section or second half. The center is located between the first half and the second half.

[0038] According to one embodiment, a first thread is configured to convey powdered material from the center between the transverse sides toward a first transverse side of the conveyor belt, wherein a second thread is configured to convey powdered material from the center between the transverse sides toward a second transverse side of the conveyor belt.

[0039] The first thread can rotate counterclockwise while the second thread can rotate clockwise, or the first thread can rotate clockwise while the second thread can rotate counterclockwise. Therefore, the transverse conveying auger allows powdered material to be transported to both transverse sides simultaneously.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first thread and the second thread share a common shaft of the transverse conveying screw.

[0041] In this document, "common" means that the first and second threads have only one shaft supporting both threads. Preferably, the first thread, the second thread, and the shaft are integrally formed. This means that the first thread, the second thread, and the shaft form a single element or component. During the operation of the coating apparatus, the shaft rotates about a rotation axis arranged parallel to the z-direction. This shaft is driven by a driver. The driver can be an electric motor.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the first thread and the second thread are mounted on separate driven shafts. These separate driven shafts can be mounted independently of each other or in an engaged manner.

[0043] According to one embodiment, when viewed along the axis, the first thread and the second thread have the same length.

[0044] This results in the same amount of powdered material being transported from the center between the transverse sides to each transverse side of the conveyor belt. Alternatively, the first and second threads can have different lengths.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the conveying direction of the upward spiral conveyor is arranged perpendicular to the first conveying direction of the transverse spiral conveyor and the second conveying direction of the transverse spiral conveyor, wherein the first conveying direction and the second conveying direction are oriented oppositely.

[0046] In this document, "vertical" means an angle of 90° ± 10°, preferably 90° ± 5°, more preferably 90° ± 3°, even more preferably 90° ± 1°, and most preferably exactly 90°. The upward spiral conveyor is arranged parallel to and opposite to the direction of gravity. As mentioned earlier, the upward spiral conveyor can also be arranged in an orientation different from the vertical orientation. For example, the upward spiral conveyor can be arranged inclined towards the y-direction or the direction of gravity.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the feeding hopper includes a first inlet opening for a first upward screw conveyor and a second inlet opening for a second upward screw conveyor, wherein the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening are disposed on opposite side walls of the feeding hopper.

[0048] A first upward screw conveyor is configured to feed powdered material into a hopper through a first inlet opening. Therefore, a second upward screw conveyor is configured to transport powdered material into a hopper through a second inlet opening. Opposite sidewalls are arranged parallel to each other. When viewed along the z-direction, the opposite sidewalls are arranged to be a distance apart from each other.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the rotation axis of the first upward spiral conveyor and the rotation axis of the second upward spiral conveyor are arranged parallel to each other, wherein the rotation axis of the transverse spiral conveyor is arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis of the upward spiral conveyor.

[0050] The first upward conveying auger rotates about the rotation axis of the first upward auger conveyor. Therefore, the second upward conveying auger rotates about the rotation axis of the second upward auger conveyor. The transverse conveying auger rotates about the rotation axis of the transverse auger conveyor. Together, the upward and transverse conveying augers form the conveying mechanism of the coating apparatus.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the rotation axis of the feed screw conveyor is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the transverse screw conveyor.

[0052] When viewed along the conveying direction or the x-direction, the rotation axis of the supply screw conveyor and the rotation axis of the transverse screw conveyor are arranged to be a distance apart from each other. The supply screw rotates around the rotation axis of the supply screw conveyor.

[0053] According to one embodiment, a feed screw conveyor extends laterally into a discharge bin, wherein the end of the feed screw conveyor is centrally located relative to the conveyor belt or terminates at the conveyor belt, for example, exactly at the first half of the conveyor belt.

[0054] In this context, "exactly" means that the feed screw conveyor terminates at a short distance from the center of the conveyor belt. However, the feed screw conveyor can also protrude beyond this center. The feed screw conveyor protrudes from one of the transverse sides of the conveyor belt into the discharge bin.

[0055] According to one embodiment, a feed screw conveyor includes a feed screw and a feed housing for receiving the feed screw. The feed housing includes one or more openings for discharging powdery material into a discharge bin. The openings are configured to provide a discharging distribution of the powdery material onto a conveyor belt, for example, onto a first half of the conveyor belt.

[0056] Preferably, the supply housing is tubular.

[0057] As the feed conveyor auger rotates within the feed housing, the powdered material exits the feed housing through the circumferential opening. In this context, "leakage distribution" means that as the feed conveyor auger rotates within the feed housing, the powdered material overflows from the upper edge of the opening. Therefore, the powdered material is distributed on the conveyor belt (first half).

[0058] When the feed conveyor auger in the feed housing rotates, at least a portion of the powdery material may leak into the discharge hopper through one or more openings. It is possible, but not necessarily, that a portion of the powdery material will still be conveyed to the end of the feed housing. At the end of the feed housing, this portion of the powdery material is distributed onto the conveyor belt. Advantageously, the end of the feed housing extends over most of the conveyor belt, at least centrally relative to the conveyor belt.

[0059] The openings in the supply housing and the end of the supply conveyor auger facilitate the distribution of powdered material from the external hopper to the discharge hopper. Generally, the more uniform the distribution, the less necessary it is to mechanically blend with recycled powdered material to obtain a uniform powder. Moreover, less mechanical blending results in less damage to the powdered material.

[0060] Furthermore, a method for coating food products with a powdered material is provided, the method utilizing a coating apparatus for coating food products. The coating apparatus includes a conveyor belt, a loading hopper, a coating machine, a first upward spiral conveyor, a second upward spiral conveyor, a transverse spiral conveyor, and a supply spiral conveyor. The method includes the following steps: a) conveying the food product to the coating machine via the conveyor belt; b) coating the food product with the powdered material using a first layer of powdered material located on the conveyor belt and a second layer of powdered material applied to the food product by means of the coating machine; c) receiving the powdered material passing through the conveyor belt in a discharge hopper; d) conveying the powdered material from the discharge hopper to the loading hopper on both transverse sides of the conveyor belt using the first and second upward spiral conveyors; and e) conveying the powdered material from an external hopper to the discharge hopper using the supply spiral conveyor.

[0061] By conveying powdered material from the feed hopper to the feed hopper along both transverse sides of the conveyor belt, the feed hopper can be filled symmetrically. This allows for uniform coating of the food product, with no difference when viewed along the width of the conveyor belt. Therefore, the width of the conveyor belt can be increased. During step a), the food product is placed on a layer of powdered material positioned on the conveyor belt. This layer may be referred to as a bed or the first layer. During step b), another layer of powdered material is applied on top of the food product to completely cover it. This second layer may be referred to as the second layer.

[0062] According to one embodiment, during step e), a screw conveyor is supplied to replace the powdered material removed from the coating device by coating the food product.

[0063] In other words, the feed screw conveyor only replaces the powdery material that leaves the coating unit along with the food products. By means of the transverse conveying screw, the replacement powdery material is mixed with the recycled powdery material that has passed through the conveyor belt.

[0064] The embodiments and features described for the proposed coating apparatus are correspondingly applicable to the proposed method, and the embodiments and features described for the proposed method are correspondingly applicable to the proposed coating apparatus.

[0065] The present invention also relates to a coating apparatus for coating food products with powdered materials, the coating apparatus comprising:

[0066] A conveyor belt used for transporting food products, wherein the conveyor belt is at least partially permeable to powdery materials.

[0067] The feeding hopper is used to store powdery materials.

[0068] A coating machine is used to coat powdered materials onto food products conveyed by a conveyor belt, wherein the coating machine is supplied with powdered materials from a feed hopper.

[0069] The feeding hopper is used to store powdery materials and to receive powdery materials passing through the conveyor belt.

[0070] A first upward screw conveyor is used to transport powdery materials from a feed hopper to a feed hopper.

[0071] A second upward spiral conveyor is used to transport powdery materials from a discharge hopper to a feed hopper, wherein the first and second upward spiral conveyors are arranged on two transverse sides of the conveyor belt.

[0072] A transverse screw conveyor is used to convey powdered materials to a first upward screw conveyor and a second upward screw conveyor.

[0073] A screw conveyor is supplied for conveying powdery materials from an external hopper to a discharge hopper.

[0074] The present invention also relates to a method for coating food products with a powdered material, the method comprising a coating apparatus for coating food products, wherein the coating apparatus includes a conveyor belt, a feeding hopper, a coating machine, a first upward spiral conveyor, a second upward spiral conveyor, a transverse spiral conveyor, and a supply spiral conveyor, the method comprising the following steps:

[0075] a) Food products are transported to the coating machine using a conveyor belt.

[0076] b) Applying a powdered material to a food product using a first layer of powdered material and a second layer of powdered material, wherein the first layer is located on a conveyor belt and the second layer is applied to the food product using a coating machine.

[0077] c) The powdery material passing through the conveyor belt is received in the discharge bin.

[0078] d) On both transverse sides of the conveyor belt, powdery material is conveyed from the feed hopper to the feed hopper by means of a first upward screw conveyor and a second upward screw conveyor, and

[0079] e) Powdered materials are transported from an external silo to a discharge silo by means of a feed screw conveyor.

[0080] Other possible embodiments or alternatives to the present invention include combinations of features described above or below with reference to the embodiments, which are not explicitly mentioned herein. Those skilled in the art can also incorporate individual or separate aspects and features into the most basic form of the invention.

[0081] Other embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0082] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a coating apparatus for coating food products with powdered materials is shown;

[0083] Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 Other schematic perspective views of the coating apparatus;

[0084] Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 Other schematic perspective views of the coating apparatus;

[0085] Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 1 Other schematic perspective views of the coating apparatus;

[0086] Figure 5 It shows according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the coating apparatus;

[0087] Figure 6 It shows according to Figure 1 Other cross-sectional views of the coating apparatus;

[0088] Figure 7 It shows according to Figure 1 Other cross-sectional views of the coating apparatus;

[0089] Figure 8 It shows according to Figure 1 Other cross-sectional views of the coating apparatus;

[0090] Figure 9 It shows according to Figure 1 Other cross-sectional views of the coating apparatus;

[0091] Figure 10 It shows the method for using according to Figure 1A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the conveying mechanism of a coating apparatus;

[0092] Figure 11 It shows how to use according to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a food product coated with powdered material using a coating apparatus; and

[0093] Figure 12 It shows how to use according to Figure 1 A flowchart of an embodiment of a method for coating food products with powdered material using a coating apparatus.

[0094] In the figures, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals denote the same or functionally equivalent elements.

[0095] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a coating apparatus 1 for coating food products with powdered materials is shown. Figures 2 to 4 Other perspective views of the coating apparatus 1 are shown. Figures 5 to 9 Different cross-sectional views of the coating apparatus 1 are shown. Reference will be made simultaneously below. Figures 1 to 9 .

[0096] The coating apparatus 1 is described with reference to a coordinate system including the length direction (x-direction x), the height direction (y-direction y), and the width direction (z-direction z). The x, y, and z directions are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0097] The food product (not shown) can be fish or meat such as poultry, beef, or lamb. Specifically, the food product is a thin slice of fish or meat. The powdered material (not shown) can be flour or fine breadcrumbs. The function of the coating apparatus 1 is to completely coat the food product with the powdered material. After coating the food product, it can be fried, frozen, or further processed in any way. The coating apparatus 1 can be referred to as a flour coater or an active flour coater.

[0098] The coating apparatus 1 includes a frame 2 having a plurality of wheels 3, only one of which is marked with a reference numeral. For example, four wheels 3 may be provided. With the aid of the wheels 3, the coating apparatus 1 is transportable and can be easily placed in the desired installation space.

[0099] For conveying food products, the coating apparatus has a conveyor belt 4 guided around rollers 5 to 8. Rollers 5 to 8 are rotatably supported at a frame 2. At least one of the rollers 5 to 8 is driven by a drive element, such as an electric motor. The conveyor belt 4 is a loop belt. The conveyor belt 4 is made of filament, particularly of a wire mesh. Therefore, the conveyor belt 4 is permeable to powdery materials. The conveyor belt 4 transports the food products through the coating apparatus 1 along a conveying direction 9. The conveying direction 9 is arranged parallel to the x-direction x. Figure 5 The conveyor belt 4 rotates clockwise in the orientation direction.

[0100] The conveyor belt 4 has guide plates 10 to 12 for guiding the conveyor belt 4. The conveyor belt 4 has a first transverse side 13 and a second transverse side 14. The conveyor belt 4 is at least partially arranged in the housing 15 of the coating apparatus 1. The frame 2 supports the housing 15. An outlet belt 16 is provided downstream of the conveyor belt 4.

[0101] The feed hopper 17 is used to store powdered materials and to receive powdered materials passing through the conveyor belt 4 along the direction of gravity 18. A plate 19 is configured to hold the powdered materials in the feed hopper 17 and to form a buffer of powdered materials within the feed hopper 17.

[0102] In addition to the feeding hopper 17, the coating apparatus 1 also includes a feeding hopper 20 for storing powdered materials. The feeding hopper 20 is covered by a cover 21, which... Figure 3 The middle part is removed. The feeding hopper 20 has a conveyor belt 22, which is used to convey powdered material against the adjustable plate 23. The feeding hopper 20 has guide plates 24 and 25 for guiding the powdered material. Two pairs of guide plates 24 and 25 are provided.

[0103] The feeding hopper 20 has two opposing side walls 26 and 27. Each side wall 26 and 27 has an inlet opening 28 through which powdered material enters the feeding hopper 20. Figure 3 Only one inlet opening 28 is shown. A coating machine 29 is located downstream of the conveyor belt 22. The coating machine 29 coats powdered material onto the food product conveyed by the conveyor belt 4. The coating machine 29 is a vibrating belt or includes a vibrating belt that moves left and right along direction 30, which is arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction 9. Direction 30 is arranged parallel to the z-direction.

[0104] The coating apparatus 1 may include a plurality of air knives 31, 32, wherein two air knives may be arranged above the conveyor belt 4 and one air knife (not shown) is arranged below the conveyor belt 4. Before the food product is fed to the outlet belt 16, the air knives 31, 32 remove excess powdery material from the food product by blowing compressed air from the air knives toward the food product. The coating apparatus 1 also has a controller 33 for controlling the coating apparatus 1.

[0105] An external hopper 34 is provided to supply powdered material to the discharge hopper 17. The external hopper 34 may be funnel-shaped. The external hopper 34 may be part of the coating apparatus 1. A supply screw conveyor 35 is provided for supplying powdered material from the external hopper 34 to the discharge hopper 17.

[0106] The feed screw conveyor 35 includes a feed screw 36, which is driven by a driver 37 to rotate about a rotation axis 38. The rotation axis 38 is arranged vertically. In this document, "vertically" means that the rotation axis 38 is arranged parallel to the z-direction. The driver 37 is an electric motor.

[0107] The feed conveyor screw 36 has a shaft 39 connected to a drive 37 and a thread 40 connected to the shaft 39. The thread 40 has a varying slope. This means that the slope of the thread 40 is not constant, but becomes less steep when viewed from the outer hopper 34 down to the lower hopper 17 along the shaft 39. This shape of the thread 40 helps to empty the outer hopper 34 evenly.

[0108] The feed screw conveyor 35 also includes a feed housing 41 that receives the feed screw 36. The feed housing 41 is tubular and protrudes into the discharge bin 17. The feed housing 41 has an open end 42 facing the discharge bin 17. The end 43 of the feed screw 36 protrudes from this end 42 and enters the discharge bin 17. The feed housing 41 has a circumferential opening 44 (…). Figure 4 and Figure 7 In this text, "circumferential" means that when viewed around the circumference of the supply housing 41, the supply housing 41 is not completely closed.

[0109] The feed screw conveyor 35 protrudes into the discharge bin 17. However, when viewed along the z-direction, the feed screw conveyor 35 essentially terminates between the transverse sides 13 and 14 of the conveyor belt 4. (As seen from...) Figure 6 As can be seen, the conveyor belt 4 can be divided into a first part or first half 45 and a second part or second half 46 along the z-direction z.

[0110] The screw conveyor 35 discharges powdery material directly from the outer hopper 34 into the second half 46. Because the supply housing 41 has a circumferential opening 44, the powdery material leaks out of the circumferential opening 44 and enters the first half 45. Therefore, a leaking supply of powdery material is provided to the first half 45.

[0111] The coating apparatus 1 also includes a conveying mechanism 47 ( Figure 10The conveying mechanism 47 is used to convey powdered material from the feed hopper 17 to the feed hopper 20. The conveying mechanism 47 includes a first upward conveying screw 48, a second upward conveying screw 49, and a transverse conveying screw 50. The first upward conveying screw 48 is used to transport powdered material from the feed hopper 17 to the feed hopper 20, the second upward conveying screw 49 is used to transport powdered material from the feed hopper 17 to the feed hopper 20, and the transverse conveying screw 50 is used to transport powdered material from the feed hopper 17 to the upward conveying screws 48 and 49.

[0112] The first upward conveying screw 48 and the second upward conveying screw 49 can be arranged vertically. This means that the upward conveying screws 48 and 49 can be arranged parallel to the y-direction. Therefore, the first upward conveying screw 48 can be referred to as the first vertical screw, and the second upward conveying screw 49 can be referred to as the second vertical screw. The transverse conveying screw 50 can be arranged horizontally. Therefore, the transverse conveying screw 50 can be referred to as the horizontal screw.

[0113] The first upward conveying auger 48 includes a shaft 51 and a thread 53. The shaft 51 is rotatable about a rotation axis 52, and the thread 53 is connected to the shaft 51. The rotation axis 52 can be arranged parallel to the y-direction y. However, the rotation axis 52 can also be inclined in the y-direction y. The thread 53 is constant when viewed along the shaft 51. The first upward conveying auger 48 has at least one end plate 54 connected to the shaft 51.

[0114] The second upward conveying auger 49 includes a shaft 55 and a thread 57. The shaft 55 is rotatable about a rotation axis 56, and the thread 57 is connected to the shaft 55. The rotation axis 56 can be arranged parallel to the y-direction y. However, the rotation axis 56 can also be inclined in the y-direction y. The thread 57 is constant when viewed along the shaft 55. The second upward conveying auger 49 has at least one end plate 58 connected to the shaft 55.

[0115] The transverse conveying auger 50 has a shaft 59 that rotates about a rotation axis 60. The rotation axis 60 is arranged parallel to the z-direction z. In this document, "horizontal" or "transverse" can mean parallel to the z-direction z. The transverse conveying auger 50 has a first thread 61 and a second thread 62. A gap 63 is provided between the threads 61 and 62. The threads 61 and 62 are wound in opposite directions. The first thread 61 is wound counterclockwise, while the second thread 62 is wound clockwise. The gap 63 is centered between the transverse sides 13 and 14 of the conveyor belt 4.

[0116] The conveying mechanism 47 is configured to convey powdered material from the feed hopper 17 to the feed hopper 20 against the direction of gravity 18. A first thread 61 conveys the powdered material in a first conveying direction 64, which in turn conveys the auger 48 upward from the gap 63. A second thread 62 conveys the powdered material in a second conveying direction 65, which in turn conveys the auger 49 upward from the gap 63.

[0117] The conveying directions 64 and 65 are oriented in opposite directions. The first conveying direction 64 can be oriented in the opposite direction (z-direction). The second conveying direction 65 can be oriented along the z-direction. The upward conveying screws 48 and 49 both transport powdered materials in the third conveying direction 66. The third conveying direction 66 can be oriented along the y-direction and in the opposite direction of gravity 18.

[0118] Now back Figures 1 to 9 The first upward conveying screw 48 is part of the first upward screw conveyor 67, and the second upward conveying screw 49 is part of the second upward screw conveyor 68. The first upward screw conveyor 67 may be referred to as the first vertical screw conveyor. The second upward screw conveyor 68 may be referred to as the second vertical screw conveyor.

[0119] Each upward spiral conveyor 67, 68 has a housing 69, 70 that receives one of the upward conveying spirals 48, 49. Furthermore, each upward spiral conveyor 67, 68 has a driver 71, 72 for driving one of the upward conveying spirals 48, 49. The driver 71, 72 may be an electric motor. The housing 69, 70 discharges powdery material into the feed hopper 20 through inlet openings 28 in the sidewalls 26, 27.

[0120] The transverse conveying auger 50 is part of a transverse screw conveyor 73, which has a housing 74. The transverse conveying auger 50 is driven by a driver 75, which is an electric motor. The transverse screw conveyor 73 may be referred to as a horizontal screw conveyor.

[0121] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 10 and Figure 11 To explain the function of coating device 1, Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of food product 76 is shown. A buffer for powdered material 77 is provided in the feeding hopper 17. The thickness t1 of the first layer 78 of powdered material 77 can be adjusted by adjusting the gap between the adjusting plate 19 and the housing 15.

[0122] The conveyor belt 4 transports the powdered material 77 around the roller 5 by means of the guide plate 12. Then the first layer 78 is guided on the guide plate 10, wherein the food product 76 is placed on the first layer 78 in the area of ​​the guide plate 10. This can be accomplished by means of a feed belt (not shown).

[0123] Once the food product 76 arrives at the coating machine 29, the powdered material 77 from the feed hopper 20 is supplied to the food product 76 by means of the coating machine 29. The coating machine 29 produces a uniform second layer 79 of powdered material 77 on top of the food product 76, so that the food product 76 is completely covered by powdered material 77.

[0124] Conveyor belt 22 transports powdered material 77 from feed hopper 20 to coating machine 29. The thickness t2 of the second layer 79 can be adjusted by means of plate 23. After passing through coating machine 29, the coated food product 76 enters housing 15. Once the food product 76 passes guide plate 11, the powdered material 77 that is not adhered to the food product 76 passes through mesh conveyor belt 4 and falls into discharge hopper 17.

[0125] Air knives 31 and 32 further remove any remaining powdery material 77 that has not completely adhered to the food product 76. The powdery material 77 is then conveyed to the discharge hopper 17 by means of conveyor belt 4.

[0126] The transverse screw conveyor 73 transports the powdered material 77 from the discharge bin 17 to the upward screw conveyors 67 and 68, which are arranged on the two transverse sides 13 and 14 of the conveyor belt 4. Then, the upward screw conveyors 67 and 68 transport the powdered material 77 upward to the feed bin 20 in the third conveying direction 66.

[0127] Powdered material 77 enters the feeding hopper 20 through the inlet openings 28 of the side walls 26 and 27. The powdered material 77 is transported through the inlet openings 28 by means of end plates 54 and 58. The powdered material 77 is guided against the guide plate 24 and is evenly distributed by means of the guide plate 25.

[0128] The screw conveyor 35 supplies powdered material 77 from the external hopper 34 to the discharge hopper 17, so that the buffer of powdered material 77 in the discharge hopper 17 can be kept constant.

[0129] The use of two upward spiral conveyors 67 and 68, instead of just one, ensures a uniform distribution of the powdered material 77 within the feeding hopper 20. For example, this uniform distribution of the powdered material 77 allows for an increase in the width of the conveyor belt 4 while still achieving good coverage of the food product 76.

[0130] Figure 12A flowchart of an embodiment of a method for coating food product 76 with powdered material 77 by means of coating apparatus 1 is shown.

[0131] In step S1, the food product 76 is conveyed to the coating machine 29 by means of the conveyor belt 4. Therefore, the food product 76 is located on the first layer 78 of the powdered material 77. In step S2, the food product 76 is coated with the powdered material 77 using the first layer 78 and the second layer 79 of the powdered material 77. The first layer 78 is located on the conveyor belt 4, and the second layer 79 is coated onto the food product 76 by means of the coating machine 29.

[0132] In step S3, the powdered material 77 passing through the conveyor belt 4 is received in the discharge bin 17. The discharge bin 17 also stores the powdered material 77. Then, in step S4, the powdered material 77 is conveyed from the discharge bin 17 to the loading bin 20 on the two transverse sides 13, 14 of the conveyor belt 4 by means of a first upward spiral conveyor 67 and a second upward spiral conveyor 68. Thus, the loading bin 20 is symmetrically filled.

[0133] In step S5, powdered material 77 is supplied from the external hopper 34 to the discharge hopper 17 by means of a supply screw conveyor 35. Preferably, the supply screw conveyor 35 replaces the powdered material 77 removed from the coating device 1 during the coating of food product 76. Thus, the powdered material 77 that leaves the coating device along with the food product 76 is replaced. Steps S1 to S5 can be performed sequentially or simultaneously.

[0134] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to all embodiments.

[0135] Figure Labels

[0136] 1 Coating apparatus

[0137] 2 Framework

[0138] 3 wheels

[0139] 4 Conveyor Belt

[0140] 5 rollers

[0141] 6 rollers

[0142] 7 rollers

[0143] 8 rollers

[0144] 9. Conveying direction

[0145] 10 Guide Board

[0146] 11 Guide Panel

[0147] 12 Guide Panels

[0148] 13 Lateral side

[0149] 14 Lateral side

[0150] 15. Housing

[0151] 16 Export Belt

[0152] 17. Feeding bin

[0153] 18. Direction of Gravity

[0154] 19 boards

[0155] 20 Feeding bins

[0156] 21 masks

[0157] 22 Conveyor Belt

[0158] 23 boards

[0159] 24 Guide Board

[0160] 25 Guide Plate

[0161] 26 Sidewalls

[0162] 27 Sidewalls

[0163] 28 Opening

[0164] 29 Coating Machine

[0165] 30 directions

[0166] 31 Air Knife

[0167] 32 air knife

[0168] 33 Controller

[0169] 34 External silos

[0170] 35. Supply screw conveyor

[0171] 36 Supply Conveying Screw Components

[0172] 37 drives

[0173] 38. Axis of rotation

[0174] 39 axes

[0175] 40 thread

[0176] 41 Supply shell

[0177] 42 end

[0178] 43 end

[0179] 44 Opening

[0180] 45. First Half

[0181] 46 The Second Half

[0182] 47 Conveying mechanism

[0183] 48 First upward conveying screw

[0184] 49 Second upward conveying screw

[0185] 50 Lateral Conveyor Screw

[0186] 51 axis

[0187] 52. Rotation axis

[0188] 53 thread

[0189] 54 end plate

[0190] 55 axis

[0191] 56. Rotation axis

[0192] 57 Thread

[0193] 58 end plate

[0194] 59 axes

[0195] 60 Rotation axis

[0196] 61 thread

[0197] 62 thread

[0198] 63 gap

[0199] 64 Conveying direction

[0200] 65 Conveying direction

[0201] 66 Conveying direction

[0202] 67 First Upward Screw Conveyor

[0203] 68 Second upward spiral conveyor

[0204] 69. Shell

[0205] 70 Housing

[0206] 71 drives

[0207] 72 drives

[0208] 73. Horizontal Screw Conveyor

[0209] 74 Casing

[0210] 75 drives

[0211] 76 Food Products

[0212] 77 Powdered materials

[0213] 78th floor

[0214] 79th floor

[0215] Step S1

[0216] S2 Step

[0217] S3 Step

[0218] S4 Step

[0219] S5 Step

[0220] t1 thickness

[0221] t2 thickness

[0222] x x-direction

[0223] y y-direction

[0224] z z-direction

Claims

1. A coating apparatus (1) for coating a food product (76) with a powdered material (77), the coating apparatus (1) comprising: A conveyor belt (4), arranged in a housing (15), is used to convey the food product (76) in a conveying direction (9), wherein the conveyor belt (4) is at least partially permeable to the powdered material (77), wherein, viewed in the conveying direction (9), a guide plate (10, 11) is provided at the upstream end below the conveyor belt, the guide plate (10, 11) preventing the powdered material (77) from passing over the conveyor belt, thereby creating a first layer (78) of the powdered material (77) on the conveyor belt (4), on which the food product (76) can be placed. Feeding hopper (20), the feeding hopper (20) is used to store the powdered material (77). A coating machine (29) is used to coat a second layer of the powdered material (77) onto the food product (76) conveyed by means of the conveyor belt (4), wherein the coating machine (29) is supplied with the powdered material (77) from the feed hopper (20). The feeding bin (17) is arranged inside the conveyor belt and is used to store the powdered material (77) and to receive the powdered material (77) passing through the conveyor belt (4) downstream of the guide plates (10, 11) in the conveying direction (9). A plate (19) defines the upstream end of the feed hopper (17), the plate (19) is used to hold the powdered material in the feed hopper (17) and to form a buffer of the powdered material in the feed hopper (17), wherein the thickness (t1) of the first layer (78) of the powdered material (77) can be adjusted by adjusting the gap between the plate (19) and the housing (15). A first upward spiral conveyor (67) is used to convey the powdered material (77) from the feed hopper (17) to the feed hopper (20). The second upward spiral conveyor (68) is used to convey the powdered material (77) from the feed hopper (17) to the feed hopper (20), wherein the first upward spiral conveyor (67) and the second upward spiral conveyor (68) are arranged on two transverse sides (13, 14) of the conveyor belt (4). A transverse screw conveyor (73), disposed in the feed hopper (17), is used to convey the powdered material (77) to the first upward screw conveyor (67) and the second upward screw conveyor (68), and A supply screw conveyor (35) protrudes downstream of the transverse screw conveyor (73) into the discharge bin (17) for conveying the powdered material (77) from the external bin (34) to the discharge bin (17), such that the buffer of the powdered material (77) in the discharge bin (17) can be kept constant.

2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The transverse screw conveyor (73) includes a transverse conveying screw (50), wherein the transverse conveying screw (50) has a first thread (61) and a second thread (62), and wherein the first thread (61) and the second thread (62) have opposite directions of rotation.

3. The coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The first thread (61) and the second thread (62) meet at the center between the transverse sides (13, 14) of the conveyor belt (4).

4. The coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The first thread (61) is configured to convey the powdered material (77) from the center between the transverse sides (13, 14) toward the first transverse side (13) of the conveyor belt (4), and wherein the second thread (62) is configured to convey the powdered material (77) from the center between the transverse sides (13, 14) toward the second transverse side (14) of the conveyor belt (4).

5. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The first thread (61) and the second thread (62) share the common shaft (59) of the transverse conveying screw (50).

6. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, When viewed along the axis (59), the first thread (61) and the second thread (62) have the same length.

7. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The conveying directions (66) of the first upward spiral conveyor (67) and the second upward spiral conveyor (68) are arranged perpendicular to the first conveying direction (64) and the second conveying direction (65) of the transverse spiral conveyor (73), wherein the first conveying direction (64) and the second conveying direction (65) are oriented in opposite directions.

8. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The feeding hopper (20) includes a first inlet opening for the first upward spiral conveyor (67) and a second inlet opening for the second upward spiral conveyor (68), wherein the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening are disposed on opposite sidewalls (26, 27) of the feeding hopper (20).

9. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The rotation axis of the first upward spiral conveyor (67) and the rotation axis of the second upward spiral conveyor (68) are arranged parallel to each other, and wherein the rotation axis of the transverse spiral conveyor (73) is arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first upward spiral conveyor (67) and the rotation axis of the second upward spiral conveyor (68).

10. The coating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The rotation axis (38) of the supply screw conveyor (35) is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the transverse screw conveyor (73).

11. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The feed screw conveyor (35) protrudes laterally into the discharge bin (17), and wherein the end (42) of the feed screw conveyor (35) is centrally located with respect to the conveyor belt (4), or terminates exactly at the first half (45) of the conveyor belt (4).

12. The coating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The supply screw conveyor (35) includes a supply conveying screw (36) and a supply housing (41), the supply housing (41) being used to receive the supply conveying screw (36), and wherein the supply housing (41) includes a circumferential opening (44) for discharging the powdered material into the discharge hopper (17).

13. The coating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The circumferential opening (44) is configured to provide leakage distribution of the powdered material onto the first half (45) of the conveyor belt (4).

14. A method for coating a food product (76) with a powdered material (77), said method by means of a coating apparatus (1) for coating said food product (76) according to claim 1, wherein, The coating apparatus (1) includes a conveyor belt (4), a feeding hopper (20), a coating machine (29), a first upward spiral conveyor (67), a second upward spiral conveyor (68), a transverse spiral conveyor (73), and a supply spiral conveyor (35). The method includes the following steps: a) The food product (76) is transported to the coating machine (29) by means of the conveyor belt (4). b) Using the first layer (78) and the second layer (79) of the powdered material (77), the food product (76) is coated with the powdered material (77), the first layer (78) being located on the conveyor belt (4), and the second layer (79) being coated onto the food product (76) by means of the coating machine (29). c) The powdered material (77) passing through the conveyor belt (4) is received in the discharge bin (17). d) Powdered material (77) is conveyed from the feed hopper (17) to the feed hopper (20) on the two transverse sides (13, 14) of the conveyor belt (4) by means of the first upward spiral conveyor (67) and the second upward spiral conveyor (68), and e) The powdered material (77) is conveyed from the external hopper (34) to the discharge hopper (17) by means of the supply screw conveyor (35).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, During step e), the supply screw conveyor (35) replaces the powdered material (77) removed from the coating device (1) by coating the food product (76).

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