The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for delivering a coating substance and more particularly, though not necessarily, to an improved apparatus for delivering a powder, liquid, or suspension coating. There exists a wide variety of products that require to be coated with a substance (e.g. powder, liquid, suspension, etc) during their preparation. For example, snack foods such as potato crisps and corn chips are usually coated with flavouring. It is generally desirable to be able to achieve a uniform and controllable coating over the entire surface of a product. A traditional method used for coating snack foods involves the use of a rotating drum, having a 2 - 3m length and a diameter of 0.5 - 1.5m, which has its axis generally aligned with the horizontal, but with a slight tilt. Flavouring in the form of a powder is delivered via an inclined chute to a location within the drum so that the flavouring is sprinkled onto the products to be coated. This technique tends to result in a non-uniform coating of products, with flavour concentration varying between product pieces and across the surfaces of individual pieces. Product can be damaged flavourings may clump this can damage the reputation of a brand. Another problem that arises with prior art systems is that, through the use of a rotating drum system, there can be tremendous wastage of coating material. A still further problem associated with the rotating drum systems is that, in the event of a change in the application of a flavour to a snack, there is a considerable downtime taken to clean the apparatus. In terms of an industrial process, this corresponds to a loss of 1/48th - 1/24th manufacturing time in a 24/7 manufacturing facility which is additionally due to cleaning. This can be significant. The present invention seeks to provide an improved coating delivery method and apparatus.
