Apparatus for sprinkling food pieces with powder material

摘要

An apparatus and method for sprinkling food pieces with powder material. The apparatus includes a drum having a pair of opposing side openings, and engaging members mounted on a cylindrical inner surface thereof. Powder material is sifted by the engaging members as the drum is rotated. An inlet member extends through one of the openings and deposits food pieces into the drum such that one food piece is deposited onto the powder material located between each adjacent pair of engaging members at a bottom portion of the drum. Rotation of the drum causes the food piece to roll on the powder material, thereby completely coating the food piece, and causes the engaging members to lift the coated food pieces to an upper portion of the drum until the coated food pieces roll or slide off of the engaging members. An outlet member is positioned to receive the coated food pieces as they roll or slide from the engaging members.