Jeno's, Inc.

Richard E Jones

Donald F Jago

Apparatus and method for coating an article of food with a granular food product at a selected density which apparatus is formed of a distributor having a wedged-shaped elongated hopper for enclosing granular material to be metered and coated on the surface an article of food transported thereunder by a conveyor, which housing defines a pair of aligned elongated slots of sufficient dimension to pass the granular material, a pair of orifice plates one moveably mounted adjacent each elongated slot at the bottom of the hopper for setting the opening size, a pair of contra-rotatable distributing augers positioned one above each elongated slot and rotationally mounted in the housing in adjustable eccentric bearings with the height of the distributing augers being adjustable relative to the slot therebelow, an agitating auger rotationally mounted in the housing above the distributing augers in adjustable eccentric bearings for adjusting the height of the agitating auger in spaced parallel alignment to and above the distributing augers, controlled variable speed driving means for the augers and conveyors and a reclamation hopper and conveyor for reclaiming and returning excess granular material distributed from the hopper and uncoated on the article of food.

Food product coating apparatus

A method of coating a surface of an article of food with a granular material at a selected density by transporting the food along a preselected path at a preselected speed, enclosing and agitating the granular material with a rotating auger, metering the granular material with height adjusting augers, while adjusting the height of the agitating auger, the orifice for metering the granular material and rotating the distributing auger at selected speeds to meter a selected quantity of food onto the food surface; reclaiming excess granular material and reconveying the excess back to the enclosed quantity.

Growing community of inventors

Duluth, MN, United States of America

Richard E Jones