Method and apparatus for uniformly adding particulates to a coating on comestibles, and products produced thereby

Abstract

A process for applying particulates to a large number of comestible cores during the production of comestible cores so as to have a generally uniform application of particulates on each coated core involves the steps of placing a batch of comestible cores in a coating apparatus; applying aliquots of coating syrup while the cores are tumbled in the coating apparatus to build up a coating on the cores; dividing a predetermined total amount of the particulates to be applied to the coated cores into at least three portions of approximately equal size; and applying each of the portions of particulates to the coated cores simultaneously from multiple, spaced apart, particulate distributors in the coating apparatus while the coated cores are being tumbled. Preferably the particulate applicator comprises a number of venturi eductors equal to the number of particulate distributors; a pneumatic hose connected between each venturi eductor and each particulate distributor; and a vibratory pan for holding a quantity of particulates and causing the particulates to vibrate and flow at a uniform rate into each venturi eductor. The process is particularly were suited to uniformly apply speckle particulates to produce coated chewing gum or other confectionery cores with a uniform number of speckles on each core.

1 . An apparatus for producing coated comestible cores with particulates in the coating comprising:
 a) a coating apparatus for holding and tumbling comestible cores during a coating operation;   b) at least one syrup applicator for applying a coating syrup to the cores within the coating apparatus;   c) a source of particulates comprising a vibratory pan, and   d) a plurality of spaced apart, particulate distributors placed within the coating apparatus, each of the particulate distributors being connected to the supply of particulates.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coating apparatus comprises a rotating drum having an internal drum length of at least 4 feet, and the particulate distributors are placed within the drum so as to uniformly distribute particulates to the cores while the drum is rotating. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the particulates are delivered pneumatically to the particulate distributors, each distributor being connected to a separate pneumatic hose. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the vibratory pan feeds particulates into venturi eductors, with each eductor being connected to a different pneumatic hose. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory pan comprises dividers that divide a quantity of particulates to be applied to one batch of cores within the coating apparatus into a number of portions equal to the number of particulate distributors. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the drum is about 8 to about 12 feet in length and the plurality of particulate distributors comprise at least 5 distributors. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each particulate distributor is located between about 18 inches and about 32 inches from another particulate distributor. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the drum is at least 2 feet in internal diameter. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the source of particulates comprises colored particulates that produce a speckled appearance on the coated comestible. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each particulate distributor comprises a hose having a discharge outlet within the coating apparatus and each discharge outlet includes a conical diverter. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for producing coated comestible cores with particulates in the coating comprising:
 a) a rotating drum for holding and tumbling comestible cores during a coating operation;   b) at least one syrup applicator for applying coating syrup to the cores within the rotating drum;   c) a plurality of spaced apart, particulate distributors placed within the drum; and   d) a source of particulates that is controlled so as to supply particulates simultaneously to each of the particulate distributors so as to uniformly distribute particulates to the cores while the drum is rotating, the source of particulates being connected to the particulate distributors by a plurality of separate pneumatic hoses which convey the particulates in a suspended form from the source of particulates to the drum.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the rotating drum is designed for minimal longitudinal movement of the cores while the cores are being coated with particulates. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for automatically coating comestible cores with a coating having particulates therein, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a coating apparatus for holding and tumbling comestible cores during a coating operation;   b) at least one syrup applicator for applying coating syrup to the cores within the coating apparatus;   c) a controller connected to the at least one syrup applicator that controls the application of syrup in separate aliquots;   d) at least one particulate distributor placed within the coating apparatus connected to a supply of particulates; and   e) a controller connected to the particulate supply that automatically activates the supply of particulates to the at least one particulate distributor at a predetermined time after a predetermined aliquot of syrup has been applied.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the at least one particulate distributor comprises at least four spaced apart distributors. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the at least one particulate distributor distributes speckle particulates after the last application of coating syrup. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a number of venturi eductors equal to the number of particulate distributors, and a pneumatic hose connected between each venturi eductor and each particulate distributor; and the vibratory pan causes the particulates to vibrate and flow at a uniform rate into each venturi eductor. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for dividing a quantity of particulates into generally equal portions for uniform application to a batch of coated comestible cores comprising:
 a) a sloped vibratory pan; and   b) one or more dividers in the pan, each running generally parallel with the direction of slope, defining a plurality of lanes between the one or more dividers and the sides of the pan.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising an adjustable height gate associated with each lane to control the rate at which particulates enter the lane as the pan is vibrating. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein each gate height may be adjusted independently. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a venturi eductor associated with each lane to entrain particulates from that lane into a flowing air stream. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a pneumatic hose connected to each venturi educator and an air supply tank to which each of the pneumatic hoses is connected to supply uniform air pressure to each venturi eductor.