Drying device for a rotary dragee-making kettle
United States Patent Huttlin Apr. 1, 1975 DRYING DEVICE FOR A ROTARY 3.83.38! 391329 gufini 331:3:  
  ,2 .23 Ill 6 ain ..r.ll DRAGEE MAKING KETTLE 3,302,608 2/l967 Coons et al ll8/l9 [75] Inventor: Herbert Huttlin, Steinen, Germany [73] Assignee: Werner Glatt, Haltingen, Germany FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 60,537 2/l97l Japan ll8/l9 {22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 456,206 Primary E.taminerKenneth W. Sprague Assistant E.\&#39;aminerJames C. Yeung [30] Foreign Application Prior), Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Karl W. Flocks Mar. 30, I973 Germany 23l5882 [57] ABSTRACT 52 US. Cl 34 130, 34 4, 4 I38, l l l 181/19 4 A drying device for a rotary dragee-makmg kettle with 5 l] 1m. Cl. F26!) 11/02 air Permgable headpiece 3 Pipe having 58 Field of Search........: 1 i i/sink) 10s 109 and exhaus Pipes axially arranged and 34/130 134 &#39;38 f nected to the headpiece. The headpiece has a form of I 1 lglig i 165/88 a ship floating in the dragee-making material with its hull constituting an air supply zone and its deck form- [56] References cued ing an air exhaust zone or may variously be shaped UNITED STATES PATENTS with air supply and exhaust air zones.  
 532.553 1/l895 Hemschel 34/138 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures FIG. 2  
 FIG.1  
 PATENTED SHEET 2 UP 5 DRYING DEVICE FOR A ROTARY DRAGEE-MAKING KETTLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a drying device for a rotary dragee-making kettle comprising an air supply pipe arranged stationary in the dragee-making kettle, which pipe is immersed into the dragee-making material and possesses an air-permeable headpiece, through which air can be blown into the dragee-making material, and an air exhaust pipe that can be connected to a suction device.  
  Dragee-making kettles are employed for wetting; e.g., pillular or granular dragee-making materials with a liquid, in particular a sugar solution or a lacquer, and drying it again during continuous agitation, so that the separate particles of the dragee-making material are coated with a film of sugar or lacquer.  
  In a known drying device of the type described the air exhaust pipe is introduced independently of the air supply pipe into a cylindrical or spherical dragee-making kettle and ends at a distance above the dragee-making material. Accordingly, the air is introduced into the dragec-making material and passes from there into the free interior of the dragee-making kettle above the dragee-making material, so as to be finally drawn off from such interior through the air exhaust pipe.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the task of improving a drying device of the type described in such a manner as to reduce the consumption of energy for the drying of the dragee-making material.  
  The invention solves the problem in such a manner that, in addition to the supply air zone of the headpiece provided for the entry of air into the dragee-making material, the headpiece possesses an exhaust air zone, which is likewise permeable to air and immersed into the dragee-making material and connected to the exhaust air pipe.  
  In this manner it is attained that the air introduced from the supply air zone of the headpiece into the dragee-making material remains substantially in the dragee-making material until it passes out through the exhaust air zone of the headpiece. Since the introduced air usually consists of warmed air, the invention avoids unnecessary heating of the space about the drageemaking material as well as ofthe dragee-making kettle through such air. Accordingly, the heat energy supplied with the air is partricularly well-utilized. This leads to the further advantage of rapid vaporization of the solvent employed for wetting the separate particles of the dragee-making material, so that the separate particles do not adhere to one another and accordingly, there is also no breakage of the lacquer shells when the separate particles of the dragee-making material are separated from one another.  
  Owing to the fact that not only the feed air is blown directly into the dragee-making material, but also the exhaust air is drawn off directly from the drageemaking material, there results a further advantage, independently of the temperature of the introduced air: dust and small abraded particles are drawn off from the dragee-making material by the headpiece of the drying device, so that the pills, tablets, granulates or the like, which forms the dragee-making material. obtains a particularly smooth film of sugar or lacquer.  
  The exhaust air pipe could be led to the headpiece separately from the air supply pipe. However. in a preferred embodiment of the drying device of the invention the exhaust air pipe is arranged coaxial with the air supply pipe.  
  The headpiece may possess the shape of a ship floating in the flow of the dragee-making material and oriented in the direction of the main flow thereof; its hullwall constituting the supply air zone while its deck forms the exhaust air zone. The headpiece is immersed in this connection into the dragee-making material expediently to such an extent that the supply air zone provided on the hull contacts the dragee-making material rolling up on the inner wall of the dragee-making kettle, while the downward-rolling dragee-making material rolls over the deck of the headpiece and, therefore, over the exhaust air zone.  
  In another embodiment of the drying device of the invention, the headpiece likewise possesses the shape of a ship or the form of a circular-sector-shaped, platetype element, wherein only the areas pointing against the direction of rotation of the dragee-making kettle form the supply air zone, while the areas pointing in the direction of rotation form the exhaust air zone.  
  In a third embodiment of the drying device, the headpiece possesses the shape of a sword blade situated flat in the dragee-making material, its lower side forming the supply air zone while its upper side forms the exhaust air zone.  
  Finally, it is of advantage to provide a coating of tetrafluoroethylene at least on the headpiece. This coating, which may also be provided on the inner wall of the dragee-making kettle, prevents the adhesion of the particles on the surfaces of the headpiece and/or on the inner surface of the dragee-making kettle. Besides, the coating facilitates the gliding of the dragee-making material along the surfaces of the headpiece.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is explained with further details in the following text by means of schematic drawings that show several exemplified embodiments.  
  FIG. 1 shows a first drying device in a dragee-making kettle comprising a horizontal axis of rotation, which is illustrated in a section along the line lI of FIG. 2, normal to its axis of rotation;  
  FIG. 2 shows the same drying device in an axial section through the dragee-making kettle along the line ll-ll of FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the drying device illustrated with further details for a similar drageemaking kettle, in a section along the line lll--III of FIG. 4, normal to the axis;  
  FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment of the drying device in an axial section through the dragee-making kettle along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3&#39;,  
  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the drying device in a similar dragee-making kettle, which is illustrated in a section along the line V-V of FIG. 6, normal to the axis;  
  FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment of the drying device in an axial section through the dragee-making kettle along the line VIVI of FIG. 5;  
  FIG. 7 shows a drying device, which is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but is arranged in another drageemaking kettle, illustrated in a section through the dragee-making kettle along the line VIIVII of FIG. 8; and  
  FIG. 8 shows the same drying device in an axial sec tion through the dragee-making kettle along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Each illustrated drying device is designated as a unit by numeral 1 and possesses an air supply pipe In, which is enclosed by a coaxially arranged exhaust air pipe 111. In any case, air supply pipe Ia and exhaust air pipe lb end in at least one headpiece 2, that possesses a supply air zone 2:: and an exhaust air zone 2h. Supply air and exhaust air zones 20 and 2b are separated from each other by a partition 3. Supply air zone 2a is only connected to air supply pipe la, while exhaust air zone 2b is only connected to exhaust air pipe lb.  
  Headpiece 2 is immersed in a heap of pills, tablets or granulates, designated in its entirety as a drageemaking material 4; it is treated in a dragee-making kettle 5. Dragee-making kettle rotates in the direction of the arrow about a central, horizontal or oblique axis and carries along in this connection a portion of dragee-making material 4, within a limited angular range, which portion is designated in the following text as an ascending dragee-making material 4a. In a region, wherein the wall of dragee-making kettle 5 is substantially vertical, dragee-making material 4 is separated from such a wall, so that a portion of the drageemaking material, designated in the following text as a downward-rolling dragee-making material 4h, continuously rolls downward over and away from headpiece 2 within dragec-making kettle 5, until it is again carried along by the wall of the dragee-making kettle.  
  Everyone of the components described above preferably consists mainly of stainless steel sheet; e.g., chrome steel sheet metal.  
  In drying device I illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, headpiece 2 substantially possesses the shape of a ship of perforate sheet-metal, whose hull-wall forms supply air zone 21: and whose deck forms exhaust air zone 2h. Supply air zone 21: is situated within ascending drageemaking material 4a, which is indicated by solid black dots. On the other hand, exhaust air zone 2b is situated within downward-rolling dragee-making material 411, which is indicated by small curls.  
  In drying device l shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. a pair of headpieces 2 is connected to air supply pipe la and to exhaust air pipe lb. Each headpiece 2 consists of a circular-sector-shaped, hollow disk, extending basically in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of drageemaking kettle 5 and sharpened like a knife at its outer edge. The region of headpiece 2 oriented against the direction or rotation of dragee-making kettle 5 forms here supply air zone 21:, while the region oriented in the direction of rotation of the dragee-making kettle forms exhaust air zone 212. Accordingly, ascending drageemaking material 4a contacts first supply air zone and then exhaust air zone 2b. In relation to the structure of headpieces 2 illustrated in FIGS. and 2. this structure possesses the advantage that the exhaust air zone 2b is more closely adjacent to the inner wall of drageemaking kettle 5 and, therefore, is particularly effective when the abraded powder of the dragce-making material is drawn off by suction.  
  As seen in FIG. 3, the cleaning of each headpiece 2 can be facilitated in such a manner that the radially outer portion of each headpiece, wherein supply air and exhaust air zones 2a and 2b are arranged. is constructed as a separate component that is attached in a detachable manner to the radially inner portion of headpiece 2 by means of any type of a snap closure 20 of known design.  
  The third embodiment of drying device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 differs from the first and the second embodiments of drying devices in that headpiece 2 possesses the shape of a sword blade situated flat in dragee-making material 4. In a manner similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, supply air zone 20 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided on the lower side and exhaust air zone 211 on the upper side of headpiece 2. The flat, sword-blade type shape of headpiece 2 of FIGS. 5 and 6 makes it possible to arrange baffle plates 6 on the inner wall of dragee-making kettle 5, which baffles contribute to the function of headpiece 2 consisting in effecting a continuous and thorough mixing of the drage-making material during the rotation of the dragee-making kettle.  
  The variety of dragee-making kettles in which the drying device of the invention can be employed is made clear from a comparison of two dragee-making kettles 5 illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the one hand, and FIGS. 7 and 8, on the other hand.  
  Dragee-making kettle S of FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided with a cylindrical central portion 7, connected in each case to a side portion 8 tapering frustum-shapcd with the increasing distance from the central portion. Each side portion 8 is provided with a central opening 9 at one of its ends. Through opening 9 of side portion 8 situated on the left side in FIG. 4, there extends air supply pipe lu containing coaxially arranged exhaust air pipe 111.  
  Air supply pipe la is held in a bracket I0 arranged laterally beside dragee-making kettle 5. On its end which is interior in relation to dragee-making kettle 5, it is provided with a detachably attached cap II as well as with a threaded bush 12 arranged laterally beside such cap. A threaded rod 13 is attached in adjustable manner in threaded bush 12. A lid 14 is pivoted on the end of threaded rod I3 which is exterior in relation to dragee-making kettle 5. Two side portions 8 of drageemaking kettle 5 are provided with a ring IS in each case around their opening 9. Lid I4 is provided with an elastic edge 16, that contacts in a tight sealing manner corresponding ring 15. when lid [4 assumes its closing position illustrated with thick lines in FIG. 4. Ring I5 of left side portion 8 of FIG. 4 seals in a similar manner against an annular flat packing 17 which is attached to air supply pipe la and exhaust air pipe In.  
  A circular track ring [8 is attached to each side portion 8 at a small distance on either side of cylindrical central portion 7 and coaxially therewith. Each track ring I8 runs on two rollers 19 and 20, attached in pairs to a shaft in each case. The two shafts of respective rollers l9 and 20 are supported in two bearings 2] in each case, which bearings are attached on the upper side of a roller block 22. The common shaft of rollers 20 is connected through a belt drive 23 to an electric motor 24 arranged in the roller block.  
  Dragcc-making kettle 5 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is approximately spherical in shape and consists ofa main portion 27 and a cover 28. Main portion 27 is attached to a shaft 29 which is mounted in an overhung manner in a bearing housing 30. Bearing housing is mounted on a bracket 32 so that it can be adjusted by pivoting about a horizontal shaft 3|. A turning gear 33 is provided for setting a desired angle of pivoting of bearing housing 30 and. therewith. also of shaft 29 and dragcemaking kettle 5. The turning gear can be operated by means of a hand lever 34. The set angle of pivoting is indicated by means of a pointer 35 firmly attached to bearing housing 30. on a scale that is provided on bracket 32.  
  An electric motor 36, arranged on bracket 32 is provided for turning main portion 27 of dragce-making kettle 5, which motor is connected to shaft 29 through a belt drive 37 and an infinitely variable gearing arranged in bearing housing 30. A hand lever 38 is provided for displacing the gearing. A further hand lever 39 is employed for tightening belt drive 37.  
  Cover 28 is attached to an end of a tubular bowed bracket 40, whose other end is attached adjustably to hearing housing 30. Bracket 40 is subdivided by a joint 4], pivotal about a horizontal axis into two sections, that can be rigidly connected to each other by means of a clamping device 42 in the closing position of cover 28. When clamping device 42 is released, cover 28 can be swung upward, as indicated in FIG. 8.  
  Cover 28 is provided on its edge with a flat, annular seal 43, in the closing position of the cover, seal 43 contacts in sealing manner main portion 27 around an opening provided in the latterv A hole is provided in cover 28. which hole is covered by a llap 44. Flap 44 consists of transparent material such as acrylic glass and is articulated to cover 28 by means of hinges 45.  
  A first sleeve 46 comprising oblique upper face 47 is attached to cover 28. Sleeve 46 is traversed by air supply pipe lu together with exhaust air pipe lb arranged coaxially therein. A second sleeve 48 is pivoted on air supply pipe la. lts lower face is likewise oblique and rests on oblique upper face 47 of first sleeve 46. Air supply and exhaust air pipes la, lh. together with headpiece 2 attached thereon, can be adjusted vertically by turning second sleeve 48.  
  Finally, FIG. 7 indicates a spraying device 49, by means of which a sugar solution or a lacquer can be sprayed in the interior of dragee-making kettle 5 onto dragee-making material 4. The sugar solution or the lacquer is fed to spraying device 49 through a pipe 50 and a valve SI and can be returned into a reservoir (that is not illustrated) through a return flow pipe 52 when valve Sl is closed. Pipes 50 and 52 are situated within bracket 40.  
  It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that vari ous changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.  
  What is claimed is: l. A drying device for dragec-making material in a rotary dragee-making kettle comprising a stationary air supply pipe extending into the dragee-making kettle, said air supply pipe having an air permeable headpiece on an end thereof positioned to be immersed in the dragee-making material in said kettle. an exhaust air pipe adapted for connection to suction means extending into the dragee-making kettle, said headpiece including wall portions permeable to air and forming an air supply zone and an exhaust air zone connected to said air supply pipe and exhaust air pipe respectively, both said zones extending into the lower part of the dragee-making kettle so as to be immersed in the dragee-making material for blowing air into the dragee-making material through said air supply zone and exhausting through said exhaust air zone. 2. The drying device ofclaim 1, further characterized y said air supply pipe and said being arranged coaxially to each other. 3. The drying device of claim I, further characterized y said headpiece having the shape of a ship floating in the flow of the dragce-making material and oriented in the direction of the main flow thercotand including a hull-wall constituting said air supply zone, and a deck forming said exhaust air zone. 4. The drying device of claim 1. further characterized y said headpiece having the shape of a circular sectorshaped, plate-type element in the flow of the dragee-making material with said air supply zone in the regions pointing against the direction of flow and said exhaust air zone in the regions pointing in the direction of flow. 5. The drying device ot&#39;claim I, further characterized y said headpiece having the shape of a sword blade situated flat in the dragee-making material with its lower side forming said air supply zone and its upper side forming said exhaust air zone. 6. The drying device otclaim I, further characterized y at least said headpiece having a coating of tctrafluorethylene.