Abstract: A food handling conveyor apparatus includes a sound detection system for detecting the presence of a foreign object, such as a stone, among food product being conveyed. The apparatus includes a generally elongated vibratory conveyor bed along which food products are conveyed, with at least one discharge gate positioned at one end of the conveyor bed. An actuator is operatively connected to the discharge gate for effecting movement thereof between closed and open positions. A sound detection system of the apparatus, preferably including one or more directional microphones, is positioned in operative association with the conveyor bed and functions to differentiate between the sound of food product being conveyed, and the sound of a foreign object. The sound detection system is operatively connected with the actuator for the discharge gate, and effects opening of the discharge gate in timed relationship to detection of a foreign object so that the object is moved out of the food product stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for coating food products with seasoning, powder or other dry or granulated material while the food products are rotated in a drum uses a trough which extends into the drum from outside of the drum. The trough provides a plurality of V-shaped channels having intermittently arranged lengthwise slots along low points of the channels for creating curtains of material falling through the slots onto the food products. The trough is vibrated for inducing flow along its length as well as for preventing clogging of material flowing through the slots. Alternately the material can spill over a tapered wall of the trough rather than through slots. A vibrating inlet feeder which provides a screening surface is located upstream of the trough for screening the material before discharge into the trough and eventual discharge into the drum. A controlled screw feeder can be used to limit and regulate flow of material into the inlet feeder.

Abstract: A device for blending and conveying materials which comprises an elongated trough having an inlet end, a discharge end, and two spaced apart side walls; an apparatus for vibrating the trough; a first blending apparatus connected to the trough between the inlet end and the discharge end including a first lift located adjacent one of the side walls for elevating a first proportion of materials and a second lift located adjacent the other side wall for elevating a second proportion of materials, wherein each lift comprises a ramp connected to a generally horizontal platform; and first and second diverters connected to the first and second lifts, respectively, for folding the first and second proportions of materials over onto a third proportion of materials being conveyed along the trough between the first and second lifts.

Abstract: A separator including a vibratory surface having a transverse slot and a plate positioned within the slot to form a grading gap. The plate is mounted independent of said surface so that articles conveyed by said surface are decelerated before reaching the grading gap and the downstream edge of the slot has a lip inclined downward at the angle of vibration of the vibratory surface.