Claims
- 1. A method of coating particulate material using a Wurster apparatus having a spray nozzle, the method comprising;directing a first supply of air upwardly to carry particles upwardly in the Wurster apparatus; and directing a second supply of air laterally around the nozzle to direct particles laterally away from the nozzle.
- 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising passing the second supply of air through a sleeve surrounding the spray nozzle.
- 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising ejecting the second supply of air in a radially outward direction from the sleeve.
- 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the pressure of the second supply of air.
- 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the volume of the second supply of air.
- 6. An improved process for coating a product using a Wurster apparatus having container with a partition therein defining upbed and downbed areas, and having a spray nozzle extending into the upbed area of the container, the process comprising:supplying a primary flow of air upwardly into the upbed area to carry the product upwardly through the uphed area for coating therein; and, supplying a secondary flow of air or gas adjacent the spray nozzle body and spray nozzle to move the product away from the nozzle.
- 7. The improved process of claim 6 wherein the secondary flow of air is directed circumferentially outwardly relative to the spray nozzle.
- 8. The improved process of claim 6 wherein the secondary flow of air extends circumferentially around the spray nozzle.
- 9. The improved process of claim 6 wherein the secondary flow of air is provided through a sleeve extending around the spray nozzle.
- 10. The improved process of claim 6 further comprising controlling the pressure of the secondary flow of air or gas.
- 11. The improved process of claim 6 further comprising controlling the volume of the secondary flow of air or gas.
- 12. A method of coating particles in a Wurster apparatus having upbed and downbed areas, and a spray nozzle in the upbed area, the method comprising:directing the particles away from the nozzle as the particles enter the upbed area.
- 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the particles are directed away from the nozzle by air flowing substantially radially outwardly from adjacent the nozzle.
- 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising supplying the air through a sleeve extending around the nozzle.
Parent Case Info
This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 10/079,009 filed Feb. 19, 2002 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,775.