TUMBLE DRUM FOR FLAVORING FOOD PORTIONS

摘要

An apparatus to apply seasoning to a foodstuff comprising a plurality of individual food portions comprises a rotatable drum supportable in a generally horizontal position and having an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end and a bore extending through the drum from the inlet to the outlet, with a substantial portion of the bore having a generally frustoconical interior with a larger diameter end of the frustoconical interior disposed proximal to the inlet and a smaller diameter end of the frustoconical interior portion disposed proximal to the outlet. In one embodiment, the frustoconical interior portion extends substantially from the inlet to the outlet and converges in that direction. In another embodiment, the generally frustoconical portion extends from a generally cylindrical interior portion, that is intermediate the inlet and the frustoconical interior portion, to the outlet and converges in that direction.

主权项

1. An apparatus for use in the application of a flavoring material on a plurality of individual food portions, comprising:
a rotatable drum having:
an inlet at an upstream end;an outlet at a downstream end that is opposite to the upstream end;an interior wall defining an interior of the drum intermediate the inlet and the outlet;a frustoconical portion of the interior of the drum including a large diameter portion that is proximal to the inlet and a smaller diameter portion that is proximal to the outlet;a plurality of angularly-spaced and axially-extending flights on the interior wall and within the frustoconical portion of the interior to agitate and disturb food portions received into the frustoconical portion of the drum; a drum support coupled to support the rotatable drum in one of a horizontal position, wherein the frustoconical interior portion is rotatable about a horizontal axis therethrough, and a downwardly canted position, wherein the axis of rotation of the frustoconical interior portion is downwardly canted to dispose the inlet at an elevated position relative to the outlet; a motor operatively coupled intermediate the drum support and the drum to rotate the rotatable drum about the axis of the frustoconical interior portion; and a seasoning dispenser supported within the interior of the drum to dispense a seasoning material generally downwardly and onto food portions deposited through the inlet and within the interior of the drum.