It is known to coat confectionary and pharmaceutical products with a material. In this regard, confectionary and pharmaceutical products can be coated with a material that forms a hard shell that surrounds the product. This hard shell can be used, for example, to add taste and provide increased shelf life and stability to the product.

One method for coating confectionary and pharmaceutical products is through the use of a rotatable drum. Typically, uncoated products are placed in the drum.

The drum is rotated and the products are tumbled therein. A device for spraying a solution of coating material is located within the interior of the drum. The uncoated products are subjected to a periodic spraying and drying of the applicable solution while tumbling within the drum.

Such devices for coating products are available from Driam USA, Inc.

Spartanburg, South Carolina under the names Driacoater and Driamat. Typically, a sugar or alditol syrup is used as the coating solution and provides the coating. The coating is built up in layers as the product tumbles in the drum until a desired thickness is achieved.

Of course, in producing coated products, it is desirable to create products that have an even coating thereon. An even coating is desirable for aesthetic concerns as well as product uniformity. By its very nature, a rotating drum can create an uneven coating.

Another one of the difficulties encountered utilizing a rotatable drum, for coating products while they are being sprayed, is that the products can stick to each other and/or the drum. To deal with this issue, is it known to use baffles that are normally affixed to the inner wall of the drum. These baffles are used to keep partially coated products from sticking to each other. Additionally, the baffles are used to attempt to insure that the products have an even coating.

However, heretofore, prior art baffle configurations have achieved less than optimal performance in many coating processes. The prior art baffles do not achieve adequate product circulation. This leads to uneven coating and or sticking of the pellets. On the other hand, more aggressive baffle configurations that have been attempted have met with less than desired results. In this regard, certain baffle configurations that have been used can cause chipping, bending, and/or cracking of the pellets.

Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and devices for coating confectionary and pharmaceutical products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides improved devices and methods for coating confectionary and pharmaceutical products. Although, in the preferred embodiment set forth below, the invention is directed to the coating of confectionary products, specifically chewing gum, the device can be used for the coating of any product.

To this end, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a device for coating products comprising a rotatable drum having an inner wall that defines an interior. The drum rotates about a longitudinal axis and has a circumferential axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first set of baffles is provided that includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis, each of the baffle blades are

oriented at a first angle with respect to the circumferential axis. The drum includes a second set of baffles that includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis, the blades are oriented at a second angle with respect to the circumferential axis, the second angle being equal to but opposite the first angle.

In an embodiment, each set of baffles includes two rows of baffle blades.

In an embodiment, the first angle is approximately 10° to about 50°.

In an embodiment, the first angle is approximately 30°.

In an embodiment, the device includes at least two open areas, that do not include baffles, on the inner wall.

In an embodiment, the inner wall has a circular cross-sectional shape.

In an embodiment, the inner wall has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

In an embodiment, the distance between the baffle blades in each of the sets of baffles is approximately. 25x to about 2x, wherein x is the length of the blade.

In an embodiment, the second set of baffles is located 180° along the longitudinal axis from the first set of baffles.

In an embodiment, the device has a third and fourth set of baffles. The third set of baffles includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis. The blades are oriented at the first angle with respect to the circumferential axis. The fourth set of baffles includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis, the blades are oriented at the second angle with respect to the circumferential axis each blade set having the opposite angle to the two blade sets adjacent to it.

In an embodiment, the baffle blades have a crescent shape.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a device for coating chewing gum products with a syrup is provided. The device comprises a rotatable drum

having an inner wall that defines an interior, the drum rotating about a longitudinal axis and having a circumferential axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The drum includes a dispenser for dispensing a fluid into the interior. A first set of baffles is provided that includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis. Each of the baffle blades are oriented at a first angle with respect to the circumferential axis. A second set of baffles is provided that includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis.

The blades are oriented at a second angle with respect to the circumferential axis, the second angle being equal to but opposite the first angle. The drum including open areas between the first and second set of baffles.

In an embodiment, each set includes two rows of baffle blades.

In an embodiment, the first angle is approximately 30°.

In an embodiment, the first angle is approximately 10° to about 50°.

In an embodiment, the inner wall has a circular cross-sectional shape.

In an embodiment, the inner wall has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Still further, the present invention provides a method for coating chewing gum products comprising the steps of providing a rotatable drum having an inner wall that defines an interior. The drum is rotated about a longitudinal axis and has a circumferential axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The drum includes a first set of baffles, that includes a plurality of baffle blades, extending from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis, each of the baffle blades being oriented at a first angle with respect to the circumferential axis. The drum also includes a second set of baffles that includes a plurality of baffle blades that extend from the inner wall substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis, the blades being oriented at a second angle with respect to the circumferential axis; the second angle is equal to but opposite the first

angle. Pursuant to the method, a plurality of chewing gum pieces are added to the interior. Syrup to be coated onto the chewing gum products is dispensed into the interior and the drum is rotated as the syrup is sprayed on the products.

In an embodiment of the method, the chewing gum pieces are pillow shaped.

An advantage to the present invention is that it provides improved methods for coating products.

Further, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides improved devices for coating products.

Still, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved baffle configuration.

Furthermore, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device and method that insures an even coating onto products that are to be coated.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a device that provides adequate product circulation preventing an uneven coating or sticking of products.

Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is that is provides a baffle configuration that does not cause chipping, bending, or cracking of pellets to be coated.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention are set forth in and will be apparent from the Detailed Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiments and from the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view, with parts broken away, of a portion of an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically an embodiment of a device of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the drying air inlet and exhaust system which works in conjunction with the device of Figure 4.

Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the drum of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a layout view of an embodiment of the drum for coating pellets of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a layout view of another embodiment of the drum for coating pellets of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides improved devices and methods for coating products. As noted above, preferably, the devices are used for coating confectionary products and specifically chewing gum. However, the devices and methods have applications to the coating of any product, including food products and pharmaceuticals.

Of course, it is known to provide coated chewing gum products. For example, it is known to provide chewing gum products that have a pillow-like shape encased and coated with a sugar or alditol solution. This coating provides increased taste as well as increased stability and shelf life to the product.

Referring now to Figures 1-4, schematic representations of an embodiment of the device 10 of the present invention are illustrated. The device 10 includes a rotatable drum 12. In the preferred embodiment illustrated Figures 1 and 4, the rotatable drum 12 is coupled to a motor 14. Specifically, the drum 12 is coupled to the motor 14 via the use of a drive belt 16 that allows the motor to rotate the rotatable drum 12. Speed and duration of rotation of the drum are based on the product to be

coated and the material to be coated thereon. These parameters are parameters that can be readily determined by one skilled in the art.

The drum 12 defines an interior 18. As discussed in more detail below, the interior 18 includes the baffle configurations of the present invention. Additionally located within the interior 18 of the drum 12, is a dispensing pipe 20 with dispensing nozzles 25. The dispensing pipe 20 is coupled to, via a conduit 21, a fluid source 22.

This allows a fluid to be sprayed onto the product to be coated.

In this regard, the dispensing pipe 20 includes a plurality of nozzles 25 that allow fluid to be sprayed on the product which is tumbled dry. The pieces 23 to be coated pass through this spray of fluid as they are tumbled within the drum 12.

As illustrated in Figure 1, preferably the drum comprises a plurality of air distribution chambers 27 around its periphery. These chambers include a plurality of holes 28. These holes 28 allow drying air which is introduced into the air distribution chambers to flow axially through the drum. To this end, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the air is pumped via conduit through air conditioning devices such as a heater/chiller 29 and the chemical dehumidifier 30 then through an inlet port 31 in a rear air seal 32 which mates a corresponding seal and openings 33 into the air distribution chamber at the rear of the drum. The air then flows axially through the interior of the drum, then through holes 28 at the opposite side of the drum. The air then flows into the corresponding air distribution chamber and out the opening 33 which uncovers the outlet port 34 in the rear air seal 32 and finally through a vent 35.

It should be noted that the device 10 of the present invention, except for the interior of the drum itself, can use any standard drum coating technology and/or features. However, an important part of the invention is the use of the baffles as discussed in detail below.

Specifically, pursuant to the present invention, the drum 12 of the device 10 includes sets of baffle blades 40. The baffle blades 40 are arranged in a configuration that pushes the pellets 23, or other products that are to be coated, toward different ends of the drum. This is due to the configuration of the sets of baffle blades. For example, with two sets of baffle blades, each set of the baffle blades is set so as to be angled in an opposite direction with respect to the circumferential axis of the drum. Additionally, between the blade sets, there exists open areas 41 on the drum inner walls. These open areas 41 do not contain any baffle blades.

As illustrated in Figure 1 within each blade set 40, a plurality of blades 42, 43,44,45,46, and 47 are arranged substantially parallel to each other longitudinally across the drum inner wall 18. The individual blades are set at an angle which is between perpendicular and parallel to the circumferential axis of the drum. It should be noted, that although preferably within each set of baffles, each of the blades are set at the same angle, due to manufacturing tolerances and other issues, the angles may not be identical.

Referring now to Figure 5, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, a cylindrical drum 50 is provided.

Specifically, the drum has a circular cross-sectional shape. For purposes of illustration in Figure 5, the drum is illustrated as being cut along its longitudinal axis "a"and opened up. This allows one to view the drum inner wall 52.

The drum inner wall 52 includes a first set of baffle blades 54. Although in the preferred embodiment illustrated, five blades (56,57,58,59 and 60) are illustrated, a greater or lesser number of blades can be used per set of baffles.

The first set of blades 54 is arranged along a first longitudinal axis 68 of the drum 50 inner wall 52. The blades 54 are set at an angle a to the circumferential axis"b"of the drum. This angle a is preferably approximately 10 to about 50° with respect to the circumferential axis"b". In the preferred embodiment, angle a is 30°.

As illustrated, a second set of baffle blades 70 is set along a second longitudinal axis line 72 of the drum. This second set of baffle blades 70 includes, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, five blades (73,74,75,76, and 77). The second set of baffle blades 70 is set along the second longitudinal 72 axis which is located 180° from the first longitudinal axis 68 on the cylindrical drum 50. The second set of baffle blades 70 are set at an angle P with respect to the circumferential axis"b". Angle P is substantially equal to, but opposite angle a.

Between the two sets of baffle blades 54 and 70 are two open areas 78 and 80 on the drum 50 inner wall 52. In these open areas 78 and 80 there are no baffles.

Each open area 78 and 80 comprises at least an area approximately equal to the area occupied by each set of baffles 54 and 70.

It is of course possible to modify the number of baffle blades along the longitudinal axis, and consequentially the spacing between the blades. It should be noted that when modifying the spacing occupied by, or between the blades, if the blades are located to close together, wet sticky pellets may bridge the gap and may be carried up from the bed as the drum rotates. When the bridge breaks, the pellets can drop possibly from a high elevation causing chipping, cracks and breakage. On the other hand, if the bridge does not break at all, it may cause a mass of pellets to be fused to the wall of the drum.

If the baffle blades are spaced too far apart, mixing of the pellets will be reduced causing reduced efficiency and possibly uneven coating. The optimum spacing between the baffle blades will be determined by such factors as drum size, the speed of rotation, the size and shape of the pellets, and the application rate and nature of coating syrup.

Preferably the blades are set at a space of from approximately. 25x to about 2x to each other wherein x is the length of the blades. The preferred spacings is approximately I x.

Likewise, the angle at which the blades are set with respect to the circumferential axis may also be important. If the angle is too small, the mixing action may be insufficient to insure proper coating. But, if the angle is too great, this can result in pellets being lifted and dropped, which will damage them.

Preferably an angle a or ß of between 10 to about 50° from the <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> circumferential axis"b"is preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the angle os and p is 30°.

Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, it should be noted, that in many applications, it may be necessary or desirable to have more than two sets of baffle blades on the drum inner wall. Pursuant to the present invention, this can be accomplished. However, the key concepts of the present invention must continue to be utilized that of alternating the angle of the blades from left to right and having open areas between the baffle blade sets.

It should also be noted, that it is not necessary for the drum to have a circular cross-sectional shape. Other shapes are possible. For example, the drum may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape. In such a design, it may be desirable to have more than one row of baffle blades in the blade set. In such a case, the rows are typically located close together and the blade angles are substantially the same in both rows.

This is illustrated in Figure 6.

To this end, Figure 6 illustrates a twelve-sided drum 100 (which in cross- sectional view is a regular dodecagon) opened up along the longitudinal edge as in Figure 5 to reveal the drum inner wall 102. Four sets of baffles (104,106,108, and 110) are provided comprising two rows each having six baffle blades.

The first set of baffles 104 includes a first row of baffles 112 and a second row of baffles 114. The first row of baffles includes blades 115,116,117,118,119, and 120. The second row of baffles includes blades 121,122,123,124,125, and 126. The second set of baffles 106 includes a first row of baffles 128 and a second

row of baffles 129. The first row of baffles 128 includes blades 130,131,132,133, 134, and 135. The second row of baffles 129 includes blades 136,137,138,139, 140, and 141. The third set of baffles 108 includes a first row of baffles 142 and a second row of baffles 144. The first row of baffles 142 includes blades 145,146, 147,148,149, and 150. The second row of baffles 144 includes blades 151,152, 153,154,155, and 156. The fourth set of baffles includes a first row of baffles 158 and a second row of baffles 160. The first row of baffles 158 includes blades 161, 162,163,164,165, and 166. The second row of baffles includes blades 167,168, 168,170,171, and 172.

Each blade in the row is set at the same appropriate angle to the circumferential axes. The first and third sets 104 and 108 are"left"angles while the second and fourth sets 106 and 110 are"right"angles. Between each adjacent baffle set is an open area 174,176,178, and 180. These open areas comprise a side of the dodecagon with no baffles. In this case, the open areas are about half of the surface area of the regions which comprise the baffle sets.

In any of the embodiments, the baffle blades themselves can be of any acceptable shape, size, material or design. A particularly preferred style is roughly rectangular in shape and is raised above the surface of the inner drum wall by one or more (preferably two) legs. Preferably the leading side (that is the side that first contacts the pellets during normal rotation), is flat while the trailing is chamfered around its circumference to create a dull knife edge on all four sides. This design, which is well known in the art, reduces the tendency for pellets to stick to the baffle blades and the drum inner wall and may improve the mixing action.

Of course, the blade is shaped to correspond to the shape of the drum inner wall to which it is fastened, a straight, true rectangle in the case of a polygonal cross- section drum or a crescent shape in the case of a cylindrical drum.

A preferred material for the blades is high density polyethylene (HDPE), but other materials can be used as long as they are sufficiently stiff, durable and light weight.

It will be understood that various modifications to the presently preferred embodiment discussed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.