Abstract: A vibratory feeder having a feeder plate comprising a layered structure of a solid material and a material containing voids, such as a metal foam, sintered metal or glass, a ceramic, a foamed polymer, an aerogel or an arrangement of spacers. Scarf plates are particularly described.

Abstract: A production line for powder coating items, such as food pieces, having a conveyor and a powder depositor arranged having a powder reservoir, a screen, a vibratory actuator to apply intermittent vibrations to the screen to cause powder to pass through apertures in the screen; and a controller to control the interval between the intermittent vibrations so that powder is deposited predominantly onto the items as they pass below the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying food slices, the apparatus comprising a conveyor element having an upper conveying surface, the conveying surface being downwardly inclined from an input end thereof towards an output end thereof, a vibratory actuator coupled to the conveyor element and adapted to cause vibratory motion of the conveying surface, the vibratory motion being at least partly in a direction along the conveying surface, and a liquid supply for supplying liquid onto the conveying surface to form a liquid film over at least part of the conveying surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying food slices, the apparatus comprising a conveyor element having an upper conveying surface, the conveying surface being downwardly inclined from an input end thereof towards an output end thereof, a vibratory actuator coupled to the conveyor element and adapted to cause vibratory motion of the conveying surface, the vibratory motion being at least partly in a direction along the conveying surface, and a liquid supply for supplying liquid onto the conveying surface to form a liquid film over at least part of the conveying surface.