Apparatus and method for coating ears of corn

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for applying a coating to an ear of corn are disclosed. An enclosure having a user accessible workspace and a motor to turn an ear of corn therein to apply a coating to the ear of corn rotated by the motor is also disclosed. The method includes providing an enclosure with a user accessible workspace for housing a motor assembly having a motor with a grip, releasably securing the ear of corn to the grip, rotating the ear of corn with the motor, and spraying the coating on the ear of corn with the coating applicator associated with the workspace. Each ear of corn has an identifier to track and index the ear corn during coating and drying.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying a coating to an ear of corn, comprising:
 a ventilated enclosure defining a user accessible workspace;   a motor assembly associated with the workspace;   the motor assembly comprising a motor attached to a grip to releasably secure the ear of corn; and   a coating applicator associated with the workspace to apply the coating to the ear of corn rotated by the motor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a drying rack associated with the workspace, the drying rack having a plurality of drying positions to keep the coated ear of corn while drying. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each ear of corn has an identifier to removably secure to one of the plurality of drying positions on the drying rack and correlated with each coated ear of corn to track and identify the ear of corn. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the identifier comprises:
 a. an envelope; 
 b. a sleeve; 
 c. a bag; 
 d. a tag; 
 e. a label; 
 f. a barcode; 
 g. an RFID; or 
 h. any like identifying means. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the grip includes a drill chuck having a screw guide to releasably retain a screw, the screw being threadable into a cob portion of the ear of corn to rotate the ear of corn about a center axis of the cob portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coating applicator comprises:
 a. a spray applicator; 
 b. an electrostatic applicator; 
 c. an airbrush; 
 d. a roller; 
 e. a bath; or 
 f. any like coating applicator with a reservoir to hold the coating. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coating is a magnetically active coating. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for applying a coating to an ear of corn, comprising:
 a ventilated enclosure defining a user accessible workspace housing a frame assembly configured to support a motor assembly having a motor;   a grip coupled to the motor, the grip configured to releasably secure the ear of corn;   a coating applicator moveable within the workspace to apply the coating to the ear of corn while rotated with the motor; and   a drying rack situated relative the workspace, the drying rack having a plurality of drying positions to keep coated ears of corn while drying.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein each drying position holds an identifier removably secured to each ear of corn to correlate each coated ear of corn with each drying position to track and identify the ear of corn. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the grip secures a cob portion of the ear of corn to rotate the ear of corn about the cob portion. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the coating is a magnetically active coating. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for applying a coating to an ear of corn, comprising:
 a ventilated enclosure defining a user accessible workspace; a grip to hold the ear of corn within the workspace; and   a coating applicator associated with the workspace to apply the coating to the ear of corn.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the grip is rotated by a motor to rotate the ear of corn about the coating applicator to coat the ear of corn. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the coating applicator is rotated about the grip having the ear of corn to coat the ear of corn.