Method and means for uniformly coating particulate material

The method of uniformly coating particulate material, comprising:

• placing a quantity of particulate material in a cylindrical drum which has a side wall having radially disposed perforations therethrough, a first end with an end wall, an opposite second end, and an axis tiltable from a horizontal plane to a plurality of operating positions;
• setting the drum at an angle selected from a plurality of angles of tilt relative to a horizontal plane;
• rotating the drum at a speed selected from a plurality of operating speeds, for causing the particulate material to movably congregate against adjacent portions of the side wall and the end wall, with the material remaining in the drum during such rotation;
• spraying a coating solution onto the particulate material in the rotating drum at a location adjacent the end wall to cause the particulate material to increase in size and weight;
• introducing air through the perforations of the drum so as to dry the solution coating on the particulate material as the coating solution is being sprayed;
• stopping the rotation of the drum after the particulate material has been coated;
• and
• removing the particulate material from the non-rotating drum.