A dragee is a piece of equipment used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, among other sectors, to coat products with a uniform layer of coating. This layer can be made of sugar, chocolate, starch, powders, flavorings or other ingredients, depending on the specific application. Here is what a dragee is for and how it works:
What is a dragee used for:
Coating of food products: The dragee is commonly used to coat products such as almonds, nuts, coffee, seeds, dried fruits and other foods with a layer of sugar or chocolate, making them more tasty and attractive.
Coating of pharmaceutical products: In the pharmaceutical industry, the dragee is used to coat tablets or capsules with a protective film to mask the unpleasant taste, facilitate swallowing and prolong the release of the medicine.
Coating of industrial products: In industrial applications, the dredger is used to coat products such as fertilizer pellets, detergent granules or metal parts with protective or functional layers.
How a dragee works:
Loading of products: The products to be coated are loaded into the dragee. This can be done manually or through an automated feeding system, depending on the size of the dragee and production.
Addition of coating: The desired coating, which can be sugar, chocolate, flavorings, among others, is added to the products. This is done using a pump or distribution system that applies the coating evenly.
Shaking and rotating: The dragee begins to shake and rotate the products, ensuring that the coating is evenly distributed over the surface of the items. This constant movement prevents the formation of clumps and ensures homogeneous coverage.
Heating and drying (optional): In some cases, the dragee may include a heating system to help melt and dry the coating if necessary. This is common when using chocolate, for example.
Cooling and polishing (optional): After applying the coating, products can be cooled to allow the coating to harden. In some cases, a polishing process is carried out to shine the surface of the coating.
Product unloading: After completion of the coating process, the coated products are unloaded from the dragee and can be directed to packaging or to the next stage of the production process.
The dragee is a versatile tool used in various industries to improve the appearance, flavor and functionality of products, making them more attractive to consumers and facilitating processing or end use. It plays an important role in the production of a variety of coated products, from sweets to medicines. |
