TITOLO: SEASONING PROCESS USING POWDERED SEASONING AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH PROCESS

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for seasoning a variety of products , such as potato chips , pellets and similar products in a confined space, using powdered seasoning.

A rotary-drum seasoning apparatus is used for this purpose . The processed products may be either human or animal food products, a different class of products being provided in the latter case.

The present process , which is carried out in a closed loop air system, provides uniform and gentle treatment of the processed product, reduces the amount of seasoning to be used, and improves the health of the surrounding environment, the process being carried out in a confined space (environmentally friendly process) .

Further advantages are provided by the lack of mechanical parts in the apparatus, and by the provision of the product inlet and outlet on the same side of the apparatus .

The product inlet and outlet are also on the same vertical axis , which allows the apparatus to be easily bypassed.

These objects and advantages are achieved by a seasoning process and apparatus using powdered seasonings according to this invention, which are characterized by the annexed claims. These and other features will be more apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is illustrated by way of example and without limitation in the accompanying drawings, in

which :

Figure 1 shows a seasoning apparatus for carrying out the present process ;

- Figure 2 is an inside cross-sectional front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , which particularly shows the chute and loading hopper ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the present seasoning process ;

Figure 4 shows a variant of the process of Figure 3.

Before describing the apparatus , a description and illustration of the process will be now provided.

Figures 3 and 4 show two variants of a process for seasoning a variety of products , such as potato chips , pellets and similar products in a confined space, using powdered seasonings .

In greater detail, such process consists in circulating powdered seasoning in the air system 6, such blend of air and seasoning being introduced in the space that is designed to receive products such as chips and pellets .

Such introduction provides uniform and gentle treatment of products , as well as reduced amounts of seasoning to be used and improved health of the surrounding environment.

Once it is introduced, the seasoning is continuously circulated in the system 6, with no powder leakage to the environment, wherefore it is entirely used. The seasoning is loaded in a special metering unit 7 and withdrawn in small amounts by the system 6 and/or by the electric fan designated by numeral 9 , which is associated to the apparatus 1 connected with the above

air recirculation (and seasoning distribution) system 6.

One or more valves for regulating the flow of the inlet air are disposed in the system 6, particularly also in the section between the electric fan 9 and the metering unit 7, so that a constant and well-defined amount of seasoning can be withdrawn.

Once it enters the confined seasoning space 2 the seasoning and air stream directly impinges on the product falling from an upper hopper 4 and is conveyed by a chute 8 into a rotating means , namely a drum 3.

The chute 8 has a slit 12 (Fig. 2) which receives the diffuser 11 of the system 6.

Such slit 12 may be located at varying heights along the chute 8.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 , numeral 1 denotes a seasoning apparatus for carrying out the above process. As shown, the apparatus has a closed structure 2, preferably formed of sheet metal and steel profiles, within which a conical rotary drum 3, with longitudinal product handling profiles , receives the product from an upper hopper 4 through a chute 8.

The structure 2 has doors that can be opened for maintenance and cleaning, not shown for convenience. The drum 3 obviously has a support and motor drive unit, which is conveniently situated outside the apparatus 1.

The chute 8 is configured as described above; there is provided a part of the system 6 entering the apparatus 1, which is in turn equipped with a diffuser 11 joined to the above mentioned slit 12.

The hopper 4 for feeding the products to be processed is easily detachable for cleaning.

Seasoned products are discharged form a lower outlet 5.

As mentioned above, as the products fall and pass through the slit 12, the blend of air and seasoning impinges thereon to impart the desired scent (or flavor) thereto.

In practice, the apparatus 1 is contained in the loop of the diffuser system 6; on one side, an air and seasoning diffuser pipe is preferably introduced in the drum, and on the other side a pipe conveys the blend into the system 6 as it is sucked in by the fan 9.

Conveniently, the system 6 has airtight fittings for connection to the metering unit 7.

Preferably, both the electric fan and the drum are made from stainless steel.

According to a variant embodiment, not shown, a product bypass system may be provided to prevent products from being conveyed to the chute and introduced in the drum 3 for seasoning, thereby allowing it to be directly conveyed to the outlet 5.

This bypass system may be formed, for example, by providing means for displacing the chute 8 from the inlet of such chute 8 and replacing it with other conveying means . The bypass operation may occur during the apparatus washing and/or cleaning steps through the different seasoning cycles imposed by production.

The seasoning apparatus 1 further has a plurality of nozzles arranged on the structure 2 in inwardly directed positions to allow a so-called C. I. P. washing operation .