Coating apparatus and coating method for granular bodies

A coating apparatus for granular bodies, the coating apparatus comprising

• a rotatable, hollow cylindrical, perforated drum (2) as an accommodation unit for accommodating the granular bodies (1), in which there is an introduction device with a coater door (15) and coater housing (6) for granular bodies (1) and in which there is disposed at least one movable separating element (8, 9, 10) with which one cycle zone can be partly separated from a subsequent cycle zone, such that transfer of granular bodies (1) from one cycle zone to a subsequent cycle zone is achievable in a defined manner by a movement of the at least one separating element (8, 9, 10) that leads to release;
• wherein an interior of the drum (2) is divided in a longitudinal direction into at least one cycle zone (I) as a spray section and a further cycle zone (II;
• III),
• wherein a spray apparatus for application of a liquid or suspension with which a coating can be formed on the surface of the granular bodies (1) is disposed in one cycle zone (I), and an outlet in a cycle zone (III) arranged downstream, and
• wherein the at least one separating element (8, 9, 10) is movable from a closed position, in which a closed subregion of an underside of the at least one separating element (8, 9, 10) lies radially flush against an inner wall of the drum (2) or is arranged at a distance from the inner wall of the drum (2) with a gap measuring less than the external diameter of the granular bodies (1), and the at least one separating element (8, 9, 10) is configured so as to leave a clear space above the closed subregion between the cycle zone (I) and a cycle zone (II, III) arranged downstream, into an open position, in which the subregion is spaced apart at its underside from the inner wall of the drum (2) and in this position of the separating element (8, 9, 10) there is an opening in the lower region between the underside of the respective separating element (8, 9, 10) and the inner wall of the drum (2) between the cycle zone (I, II, III) arranged upstream in process direction and one arranged thereafter, through which the granular bodies (1) can pass.