Icing machine and icing method

A method for coating a plurality of items with a coating, each item having a first side and a second side, comprising the steps of:

• placing the plurality of items on a first belt including openings through which the coating can flow;
• moveably supporting the first belt such that a top portion of the first belt moves in a first direction, the top portion of the first belt transitions to a bottom portion of the first belt at a first end and the bottom portion moves in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second end, the top portion supporting and conveying a plurality of rows of the plurality of items between the first and second ends in the first direction wherein the plurality of items are supported on the first side;
• controllably moving the top portion in the first direction at an average speed;
• pumping the coating into a pan located between the top and bottom portions of the first belt and through the openings to coat the first side of the plurality of items with the coating as the plurality of items move above the pan;
• moveably supporting a second belt such that a top portion of the second belt moves in the first direction such that the plurality of items are dropped from the second end of the first belt onto the top portion of the second belt;
• sensing the plurality of rows of the plurality of items passing along the first belt at the first end;
• and
• varying the speed of the second belt when the plurality of rows of the plurality of items are sensed, such that the second belt moves at a drop speed which is below the average speed of the top portion of the first belt when the plurality of items are dropped onto the second belt.