Abstract: A vibratory conveyor system includes two or more product transfer pans bearing lengthwise channels along which products travel, each pan being linked to a respective shaker base via respective spring arms. Successive product transfer pans each have one or more of (1) greater vibration distance oriented along the direction of product travel, (2) greater vibrational frequency/speed, and/or (2) lesser spring arm angle with respect to vertical, than the prior product transfer pan(s). These features assist with obtaining a high degree of uniform product alignment, with products being aligned lengthwise within the channels of the pans, even where products are non-rigid and malleable/reshapeable (for example, for meat cutlets and fish fillets).

Abstract: Batter is applied to food products by depositing the products atop a coating pan which vibrates such that the products are transported along the pan. As this occurs, batter is supplied atop the coating pan and the products. The coating pan is preferably configured such that the products tumble across the pan, thereby better ensuring that the products are coated on all sides with batter. The products are then received on a vibrating drainage pan having a perforated drainage pan surface, whereby excess batter drains from the batter-coated products through the perforations as the products are transported across the drainage pan. Batter-coated products leaving the drainage pan can then be received by a fryer, oven, conveyor, or other food processing equipment.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a product distribution conveyor which spreads products across its width and aligns them in uniform orientations while doing so; a lateral transfer conveyor which receives a row of the aligned products from the product distribution conveyor, and rejects unaligned and/or excess products while doing so; and a product loading conveyor which receives each row of products and loads them into packaging in a neatly aligned array.

Abstract: A reduced-size apparatus for applying food coating that includes a belt assembly for conveying food products, having an input end and an output end, and a recycle assembly, capable of receiving excess coating from the output end of the belt assembly and conveying it to the input end, wherein the recycle assembly includes at least one of a base coating distribution passage and a top coating distribution passage for providing coating for application to a food product situated on the belt assembly.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor system particularly suitable for elongated foodstuffs and other products includes a rogue product removal pan which can only pass a single one of the items being processed, with the item having the desired alignment/orientation, through each of its product acceptance lanes at a given time. Items therefore leave the rogue product removal pan in orderly rows of single items, thereby easing their packaging. Misaligned items, and or items that were stacked atop other items, are culled by the rogue product removal pan, and can be “recycled” back to the entry of the rogue product removal pan. These “recycled” items are passed through the rogue product removal pan for packaging if they assume the desired orientation, or are again culled and “recycled” if they do not assume the desired orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying coating to food products including a drum assembly that includes a drum with one or more conical flights, wherein food products and coating are received at a drum intake end, and the coating is further applied to the products using a conical and rotational motion of the drum, and wherein the food products and coating are discharged at a drum discharge end. A method for applying coating to food products including receiving products and coating at an inlet end of a feed assembly, discharging the products and coating from the feed assembly into a drum assembly, applying coating to the products inside the drum assembly using a conical and rotational motion, discharging the coating and products from the drum assembly, and conveying the coating and products using vibratory motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating products is disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving coating at an inlet end of a pan assembly for application to a product, vibrating the pan assembly using a vibratory frame assembly connected thereto, positioning the product at the inlet end of the pan assembly, removing excess coating from at least a portion of the pan assembly, receiving the product at the discharge end of the pan assembly, and receiving the excess coating at the discharge end of the pan assembly and transporting it to the inlet end of the pan assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid apparatus for applying coating to product is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first vibratory frame assembly in communication with a first pan assembly, wherein the first pan assembly receives a product and a coating and applies the coating to the products using vibratory motion. The apparatus further includes, a drum assembly that having a drum, wherein products and coating are received from the first pan assembly and the coating is further applied to the products using a rotational motion of the drum, and a second vibratory frame assembly in communication with a second pan assembly, the second pan assembly having at least one of a separator tray assembly and an alignment tray assembly, wherein the second pan assembly receives the products and coating from the rotating drum and at least one of separates and aligns the products using vibratory motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating products is disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus comprises a vibration generating portion and a product coating portion. The product coating portion can include a coating application portion, a sifting portion, and an aligning portion. The exemplary apparatus can include a coating recycle portion as well. The vibration generation portion further comprises a motor vibration assembly secured to a frame wherein the frame is in communication with the product coating portion, such as a pan assembly, by springs that move the pan assembly with a vibratory motion. The product coating portion includes a series of angled steps that guide the coating and vibrating product upwards and forward, while simultaneously allowing the product to be agitated against the coating resting on the step surface. Additionally, the product coating portion can include a moveable wire belt conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A reduced-size apparatus for applying food coating that includes a belt assembly for conveying food products, having an input end and an output end, and a recycle assembly, capable of receiving excess coating from the output end of the belt assembly and conveying it to the input end, wherein the recycle assembly includes at least one of a base coating distribution passage and a top coating distribution passage for providing coating for application to a food product situated on the belt assembly.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coating, topping, and conveying foods. The apparatus includes a first frame, spring assemblies, a vibrating assembly including an upper pan, a middle pan, a lower pan, and a second frame mounted to the lower pan with the spring assemblies. The second frame is an excited frame and the upper pan, the middle pan, the lower pan are vibrationally connected. The apparatus also includes a vibratory drive unit mounted and adapted to impart energy to the second frame. In addition, the apparatus has a wire conveyor belt assembly including a wire conveyor belt, and a housing that receives the wire conveyor belt. The wire conveyor belt assembly is suspended inside of the vibratory assembly by the first frame such that the wire conveyor belt assembly is isolated from the vibratory assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excited apparatus for coating food product with a coating.