Abstract: Resilient element material for a vibratory feeder is molded of a resilient plastic resin to have a base and generally upright elements molded integrally with the base and having upper ends that cooperate to support objects being fed vibrationally. The upright elements are configured so they bend in the feed direction and brace against bending in a direction opposite to the feed direction. This can be done by providing abutments or buttresses adjacent the elements, or configuring the elements so that the weight of the objects places a load on their upper ends spaced toward the direction of feed from respective lines perpendicular to the base through the centers of the bottoms of the elements. The upright elements then bend consistently in the feed direction under the weight of the objects during vibration to convey the objects along. The elements can also be molded to be tapered and to incline from a perpendicular to the base toward the direction of feed to bend reliably in the feed direction.

Abstract: An object accumulator and feeder uses a relatively long path divided into a series of independently operable sections. The upper surface of the path is covered with a pile material having bristles with tips supporting the objects and inclined toward a direction of feed, and sections of the path are vibrated to vibrate the bristles against the objects to feed the objects through the sections. A sensor is arranged along the path in each section, and the sensors have one output when an object is present in the sensing region and another output when no object is present in the sensing region. Timers respond to the two-state outputs from the sensors and are in circuit with vibrators for switching vibrators on and off to accumulate the objects by successively filling up the sections from the output end toward the input end of the device, to feed the objects out on demand, and to shut off selected vibrators for intervals during which the vibrators are not needed for advancing the objects.

Abstract: A positive flow vibratory feeder uses a support element extending along a feed path and vibrated in a plane perpendicular to the support element and extending along the feed path. The support element is covered with a feed pile material having resilient bristles of uniform length uniformly inclined toward the direction of feed from a plane generally perpendicular to the support element and transverse to the support element. A fixed holder generally parallel with the support element and spaced from the feed pile material is covered with pile material having resilient bristles of uniform length extending toward the feed pile bristles.

Abstract: A self-propelled pipe cleaner uses a body shaped to conform to the inside of a pipe with the axial extent of the body covered with a bristle pile material extending outward from the body to engage the inside of the pipe. The pile has resilient bristles uniformly inclined rearwardly relative to a forward direction of motion of the body. A vibrator is mounted within the body and energized for vibrating the body reciprocally and axially so the bristles engaging the inside of the pipe move the cleaner forward through the pipe for cleaning the pipe.