Convertible combination batter mixer and applicator machine

A convertible, combination batter-mixer and -applicator machine for continuous food process lines which operatively converts between a batch mode and a re-circulating mode, comprising:

• a main batter pool for containing batter to a given fill level and having a bottom wall between spaced sidewalls and spaced end walls of which one is an intake end and the other a discharge end;
• a mixing tank disposed under the intake end of the main batter pool such that an opening in the main batter pool's bottom wall at the intake end empties into the mixing tank;
• a conveyor belt being disposed in the main batter pool at least partly sunk below the given fill level and having an upper food-carrying run providing transit of food product between said intake and discharge ends and a lower batter-motivating run traversing the main batter pool's bottom wall for motivating batter in direction of the bottom wall's opening at the intake end;
• a pump that outputs batter drawn out the mixing tank into the main batter pool;
• and,
• a removable blocker to block the opening in the intake end of the main pool's bottom wall and thereby generally block batter from emptying therethrough;
• wherein the absence of the removable blocker allows operation in a re-circulation mode such that the batter pumped into the main batter pool from the mixing tank circulates back thereto by the conveyor belt's lower run motivating batter to empty therein through the opening in the main batter pool's bottom wall at the intake end;
• and
• wherein the use of the removable blocker allows operation in a batch mode such that a batch of batter pumped into the main batter pool from the mixing tank remains there for substantial depletion without recharge, which depletion is achieved by being carried away as coating on food product that is discharged by the conveyor.