Abstract: A supply device with which elements in disordered form, in particular connection elements as bulk elements, are suppliable to a second receiving volume. The supply device includes a first receiving container from which, via an outlet opening, a plurality of elements is deliverable to a second receiving container. The second receiving container may consist of an oscillation feeder. The oscillation energy of the oscillation feeder is specifically transmitted onto the elements, which are stored in the first receiving container. With the help of the transmitted oscillations, elements are transferred from the first receiving container via a transfer zone from the first receiving container into the second receiving container.

Abstract: A system for assembly of components, including a vibrating device wherein the components are placed in bulk, which is provided with first and second compartments connected together at their ends by first and second passage zones to form a closed circuit wherein the components can flow, and an articulated gripping arm provided to distribute the components to an automatic assembly installation, the vibrating device including first and second planes inclined in opposite directions included, respectively, in the first and second compartments, the components being able to progress along the first and second inclined planes towards a supply platform on which at least one component can be arranged in advance of its seizure by the articulated gripping arm, the supply platform being located in the second compartment at an exit of the second inclined plane.

Abstract: A spring feeder including a conveying path and a conveying portion including a conveying groove, the conveying groove having a width approximately equal to a width of the springs. The conveying path for feeding includes a first sorting and conveying portion and a second sorting and conveying portion, the first sorting and conveying portion, the second sorting and conveying portion, and the conveying portion for connection are linked consecutively from the container side. A width of the conveying groove of the second sorting and conveying portion is narrower than a width of the conveying groove of the first sorting and conveying portion and the width of the conveying groove of the second sorting and conveying portion is narrow enough to allow only one spring to be loaded in the conveying direction in the conveying groove of the second sorting and conveying portion.

Abstract: A feeder for robots, automation systems, comprising a frame that has a supporting bed for the parts to be fed and optical cameras for recognizing the parts to be fed, the supporting bed being rotatable about a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the parts to be fed.

Abstract: Centrifugal device (1) of the rotating bowl type for supplying preforms (2b), which are horizontally-laid and aligned, from preforms (2a) received in bulk, comprising a rotating transport ring (3) delimited by a lateral guide (12) and a central rotary disc (6) in the same direction as the ring and with an axis (8) inclined relative to that of the ring; a mobile member (15) mounted on the lateral guide occupies, as a result of the actuating means (18), an operational position in which the preforms (2c) are forced to leave the ring; detection means (19) upstream of the mobile member detect an undesirable preform (2c) on the ring and control actuating means for bringing the mobile member into its operational position for the ejection of the undesirable preform.

Abstract: A system and a method for feeding a solid into a solid deposition system is described. Solid contained in a hopper is directed into a vibratory bowl. The frequency of the vibrations of the vibratory bowl can be modulated by a feedback system. The solid can then be entrained in a carrier gas which can flow to a distributor for deposition on a substrate.

Abstract: A flexible liner (10) for a hopper or chute (40) has a plurality of overlapping flexible liner panels or tiles (20) secured to the walls (41,42) of the hopper or chute (40) by fixing strips (30). Each flexible liner panel or tile (20) has an elongate body (21) and a flexible fin or flap (22) formed integrally of elastomeric material, where the flexible fin or flap (22) extends at an acute included angle (?) (in the direction of flow of material through the hopper or chute (140)) to the side walls (41,42) and the Shore A hardness of the elongate body 21) is equal to, or greater than, the Shore A hardness of the flexible fin or flap (22).

Abstract: Primary and secondary housings each have a cylindrical side wall and a horizontal circular lower plate. A centrifugal assembly is formed by the secondary housing. A first motor rotates the circular plate of the secondary housing. Cleats extend upwardly from the circular plate whereby when a quantity of workpieces is placed in the secondary housing the workpieces will be projected out of the secondary housing into the primary housing by centrifugal force caused by the spinning cleats. A vibratory assembly is formed by the primary housing. A second motor reciprocates and vibrates the primary housing. A ramp is secured interiorly of the side wall of the primary housing and extends in a spiral configuration from the circular plate to the top of the side wall.

Abstract: An appearance inspecting apparatus includes a parts feeder aligning rubber stoppers in tandem by torsionally vibrating a bowl having a spiral track formed therein, an air conveying portion conveying the rubber stoppers aligned in tandem by blowing compressed air thereto, first and second conveying tables conveying rubber stoppers by suction-holding a surface not to be inspected of the rubber stoppers, an inspecting portion inspecting a surface to be inspected of the rubber stoppers conveyed by the first and second conveying tables, and a selecting portion sorting out rubber stoppers that are determined to be defective, in accordance with the result of inspection by the inspecting portion. Objects to be inspected having a complicated shape are aligned preliminarily by using a vibration parts feeder, while highly accurate appearance inspection is conducted.

Abstract: Plural receiving recesses are radially formed at the periphery of the disc-like rotating body. The rotating body is rotatably installed at the base, and the cylindrical cover is provided at outside of the periphery of the rotating body. From the receiving region of the receiving recess for receiving the waterproof seal to downstream side of the rotational direction of the rotating body, the first brush and the second brush are attached with the cover and at the further downstream side, the detection device and the take-out device are mounted on the base in order.

Abstract: A product transport apparatus is provided that includes a transport section for transporting a product by oscillating; a driving section for applying oscillations to the transport section; a product supply section for storing products therein, the product supply section having an aperture for supplying the stored products to the transport section; and a supply stop section that can stop the supply of the products from the aperture by being brought close to the aperture, wherein, when the products are supplied from the product supply section to the transport section, the supply stop section moves away from the aperture and the supply stop section causes at least some of the products on the supply stop section to move toward the transport section by oscillating.

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: In a vibration type parts feeding method and a vibration type parts feeding device, welding nuts are put on a parts transportation track arranged in an inner wall of a vibration bowl of a parts feeder to be arranged in turn, and normal positioned welding nuts are sorted and transported from a parts discharging outlet at a top end portion of the track to a desired place. A sorting unit for passing only the normal positioned welding nuts is installed detachably adjacent to the parts discharging outlet of the vibration bowl, and thus, it becomes possible to adapt to sorting upward and downward-positioned welding nuts with various kinds of shapes and dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying parts for use with parts with projections the protruding part of which is formed on either the upper side or the lower side as seen in the direction of height, has a regulating member (17) comprising a regulating portion of a width for preventing passage of the protruding part (11) of the part (10) and a non regulating portion (19) of a width allowing passage of the protruding part (11), to prevent passage of a part placed upside down in the case where such part is transferred.

Abstract: In apparatus for sorting containers having a bowl assembly consisting of a base and an upstanding generally cylindrical sidewall, a support disc, an actuator disc overlying the support disc, a plurality of pie-shaped disc segments disposed in a circular array between the support disc and actuator discs and means operatively connecting the actuator and support disc so that relative rotation of the support and actuator discs relative to one another effects radial movement of the pie-shaped disc sections and actuator means for selectively rotating the actuator and support discs relative to one another to position the pie-shaped disc sections between inner and outer limit positions.

Abstract: An inline feeder for delivering oriented parts, said inline feeder including a hopper section including a vibratory hopper for storing parts and transporting parts to an elevator section including an inclined elevator for receiving parts from said vibratory hopper and depositing said parts onto a linear feeder. Said inline feeder further including a part sensor for sensing flow of parts along said linear feeder, said sensor sensing flow and orientation of said parts on said linear feeder; and a an air fitting/valve for applying a burst of compressed gas against a part for rejecting and removing said part from said linear feeder, wherein said air valve operably in communication with said part sensor means for triggering a part rejection due to misorientation or jammed parts from said linear feeder and allowing properly oriented parts to be delivered.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying parts for use with parts with projections the protruding part of which is formed on either the upper side or the lower side as seen in the direction of height, has a regulating member (17) comprising a regulating portion of a width for preventing passage of the protruding part (11) of the part (10) and a non regulating portion (19) of a width allowing passage of the protruding part (11), to prevent passage of a part placed upside down in the case where such part is transferred.

Abstract: A component discharge portion is provided on the upper end of a non-end delivery belt having an upward inclined delivery surface and driven and rotated, and a component delivery path is connected to a component discharge portion and delivers a component in a predetermined attitude to the lower end side of the delivery belt. A component transfer portion for receiving the component delivered along the delivery path and for transferring the component to a next step with a constant directivity is provided on the downstream end side of the component delivery path. Furthermore, there is formed a component return path for coupling the downstream end of the component delivery path and the lower end delivery surface of the delivery belt. The component delivered in an abnormal attitude other than the component transferred to the next step is automatically returned to the delivery belt through the component return path.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder for transporting and orienting electrodes for a lamp. The vibratory feeder includes a vibratory bowl and a vibratory track. The vibratory track has a first end in communication with an outlet of the vibratory bowl. The vibratory track includes one or more gradually inclining wall portions for engaging shank portions of mis-oriented electrodes for re-orienting the electrodes. A supply of electrodes are supplied to the vibratory track. A leading electrode is separated from the supply of electrodes. The leading electrode is moved along the vibratory track. The shank portion of a mis-oriented leading electrode is engaged with an inclined wall portion of the vibratory track to re-orient the electrode.

Abstract: In a circulating vibratory linear parts-feeder including: a main trough for transporting parts in one direction; and a return trough for transporting the parts in the opposite direction to the one direction, arranged closely to the main trough, and spaced with a small gap from the main trough, in which the parts are transferred from the downstream end of the return trough into the upstream end of the main trough. The parts are orientated in the main trough by orientating means and discharged from a discharge end to the outside and the other parts are returned from the downstream end of the main trough into the upstream end of the return trough. Thus the parts are being continuously circulated in the main trough and return trough. The main trough has a transport surface for orientating the parts, and an inward circulating surface which is lower than the transport surface. The return trough includes a circulating surface.

Abstract: A feeding, singulating, or orienting device which includes a vibratory feeder bowl having a central receiving section and at least two tracks radiating outwardly from the receiving section. The feeder bowl can be convex, concave, or flat in vertical cross-section depending on the articles to be separated or oriented.

Abstract: An extruded brush plate for a conveyor is provided with slots preformed in the brush plate for attachment of supports, vibrators and peripheral walls. The brush plates are then cut to the desired length, by making only a single cut across the width of the brush plates. T-slots for attaching the vibrators and the bolt slots for attaching the peripheral walls are provided along the entire length of the brush plate such that when the brush plate is cut to any length, the vibrators may be attached where desired. Also the bolt slots will be accessible from the end of the brush plate, so that the peripheral walls may be attached. The T-slots are designed to accept T-nuts. The vibrator is attached to an interface plate. The interface plate includes threaded holes to accept a bolt. The T-nut is threaded onto the bolt and the T-nut is slipped into the T-slot so that the vibrator is attached to the brush plate.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl defines a number of predetermined attachment locations in one side thereof adjacent to a parts discharge port defined by the bowl. One or more support plates are detachably mounted to the bowl side in a vertical position via the number of predetermined attachment locations, and each of the one or more support plates defines a horizontal support edge having a parts receiving unit detachably mounted thereto. The parts receiving unit is supported by the one or more support plates and has one end thereof positioned adjacent to the parts discharge port of the bowl and an opposite end extending away from the discharge port. The parts receiving unit may be configured to orient parts supplied by the vibratory bowl according to a desired orientation. A parts confining member is detachably mounted to one of the one or more support plates and is operable to confine parts within the parts receiving unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crimping machine having a hopper assembly for receiving loose bulk quantities of elongated components and supplying them aligned end-to-end and in random orientation to a feeder device. The feeder device receives the components in an inlet chute and feeds each of the components one-at-time having a desired orientation to an outlet chute. The feeder device includes a rotatable disk having a central chamber therein adapted to receive each of the components, and includes a releasable gate. The disk and gate function independently, as required, between the inlet chute and the outlet chute, to sequentially release (or invert and release) each of the components one-at-a-time and having a desired orientation for utilization, to a crimping assembly.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl defines a number of predetermined attachment locations in one side thereof adjacent to a parts discharge port defined by the bowl. One or more support plates are detachably mounted to the bowl side in a vertical position via the number of predetermined attachment locations, and each of the one or more support plates defines a horizontal support edge having a parts receiving unit detachably mounted thereto. The parts receiving unit is supported by the one or more support plates and has one end thereof positioned adjacent to the parts discharge port of the bowl and an opposite end extending away from the discharge port. The parts receiving unit may be configured to orient parts supplied by the vibratory bowl according to a desired orientation. A parts confining member is detachably mounted to one of the one or more support plates and is operable to confine parts within the parts receiving unit.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl is provided having a number of predetermined attachment locations defined therein. A number of parts orientation units define an equal number of attachment locations which align with the attachment locations of the vibratory bowl. Any of the number of parts orientation units can thus be detachably mounted to a single vibratory bowl having a common configuration. An air supply unit is further provided for directing pressurized air across a parts orientation channel of a parts orientation unit attached to the vibratory bowl. The angle of air supply relative to the parts orientation channel, as well as the height above the parts orientation channel at which the air is supplied, are each adjustable.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl is provided having a number of predetermined attachment locations defined therein. A number of parts orientation units define an equal number of attachment locations which align with the attachment locations of the vibratory bowl. Any of the number of parts orientation units can thus be detachably mounted to a single vibratory bowl having a common configuration. An air supply unit is further provided for directing pressurized air across a parts orientation channel of a parts orientation unit attached to the vibratory bowl. The angle of air supply relative to the parts orientation channel, as well as the height above the parts orientation channel at which the air is supplied, are each adjustable.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl for fragile parts is externally dimensioned to a standard height for a particular type of fragile parts to be oriented. The vibratory bowl is configured to reduce, if not eliminate, impact damage as well as wear and tear on fragile parts. The vibratory bowl includes a base and an annular wall having a helical parts track coupled to the base. The helical parts track extends along an inner surface of the annular wall from the base to a parts discharge port of the annular wall. In a preferred embodiment, the helical parts track makes approximately one and a quarter turns or less along the inner surface of the annular wall, and the height of the base is equal to or greater than the height of the annular wall.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl is provided having a number of predetermined attachment locations defined therein. A number of parts orientation units define an equal number of attachment locations which align with the attachment locations of the vibratory bowl. Any of the number of parts orientation units can thus be detachably mounted to a single vibratory bowl having a common configuration. An air supply unit is further provided for directing pressurized air across a parts orientation channel of a parts orientation unit attached to the vibratory bowl. The angle of air supply relative to the parts orientation channel, as well as the height above the parts orientation channel at which the air is supplied, are each adjustable.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. The rotary indexing device includes two coaxial cam dials that provide rotation and reciprocation of the universal gripper, and an off-set drive is provided at two locations for laterally off setting the radial reciprocation of the universal gripper.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl defines a number of predetermined attachment locations in one side thereof adjacent to a parts discharge port defined by the bowl. One or more support plates are detachably mounted to the bowl side in a vertical position via the number of predetermined attachment locations, and each of the one or more support plates defines a horizontal support edge having a parts receiving unit detachably mounted thereto. The parts receiving unit is supported by the one or more support plates and has one end thereof positioned adjacent to the parts discharge port of the bowl and an opposite end extending away from the discharge port. The parts receiving unit may be configured to orient parts supplied by the vibratory bowl according to a desired orientation. A parts confining member is detachably mounted to one of the one or more support plates and is operable to confine parts within the parts receiving unit.

Abstract: A spring untangling apparatus for separating tangled coil springs comprises a box having spring inlet and outlet apertures at opposed walls thereof. A spring inlet duct is led to the spring inlet aperture. A vibration device is provided for vibrating the spring inlet duct to cause the tangled coil springs in the inlet duct to move toward the spring inlet aperture. The box is configured so that the tangled coil springs are placed in order so that clusters of the tangled coil springs are led into the box one cluster after another. An air jet nozzle is arranged for forcing the tangled coil springs into the box through the spring inlet aperture with an aid of compressed air, and another air jet nozzle is arranged for blowing up the tangled coil springs in the box to violently hit the same against inner walls of the box thereby untangling the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are shown for transferring, storing, sorting and orienting nonoriented mascara applicators, each applicator having a stem and a brush. The apparatus includes a bowl having a spiraled ramp positioned along the inner wall for transporting the applicators along the ramp from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the bowl. The applicators are then transferred to an accumulator wheel which includes: two sides and a circumferential edge therebetween and a slot formed in the circumferential edge, the slot having a first and a second side and a width therebetween. The width of at least one portion of the slot is approximately equal to the diameter of the brush. The slot tapers to form a stabilizing portion; the stabilizing portion has a width approximately equal to the diameter of the stem. Advantageously, either end of the mascara applicator can be removably housed in the wheel.

Abstract: A vibratory parts feeder includes a pivotal top confinement member rigidly securable to the parts feeder. The parts feeder includes an adjustable width parts channels for orienting parts having a variety of sizes. One embodiment is intended for orienting headed parts having elongated shafts and includes an air block adjacent a parts orienting unit which provides a pressurized air stream against the flow of parts, and at an acute angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the parts flow path, for directing misoriented parts back into the parts feeder. An alternate embodiment is intended for orienting non-headed parts such as nuts and washers. The vibratory parts feeder of either embodiment is configured to minimize parts jams therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sutures to curved surgical needles. A vibratory bowl and vibratory rail function to present individual surgical needles to a transfer system in a predetermined orientation. The transfer system then delivers each oriented needle to a frame which positions the needle for subsequent swaging by a rotating die system which selectively impacts the needle to secure the suture thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bead supporter for supporting a cathode assembly of an electron gun for a cathode-ray tube and fixing the assembly to a bead glass. This invention also relates to an apparatus for sorting and transporting the bead supporters in a properly oriented posture to an assembly line. The bead supporter includes a plurality of positioning projections formed on the lower side of its central portion, and cut-out portions formed in its upper edge portion opposite to the projections to permit the center of gravity of the supporter to vary depending upon its normal and reverse positions. The apparatus includes a feeding surface and a horizontal sorting surface for transferring the bead supporters. The width of the horizontal sorting surface is less than the width of the feeding surface such that each supporter having cut-out portions formed therein falls from the sorting surface when reversely positioned.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for cylindrical containers densely fills the containers with, for example, granularly-shaped fill material by causing a container to be set into a shaking rotation by rotationally oscillating a container retainer.

Abstract: A parts-conveying apparatus comprising an elongated guide member having a guide channel extending throughout the entire length of the guide member for supporting parts therein; and an endless belt unit comprising a pair of rollers and an endless belt wrapped around the rollers, one of the rollers being operatively connected to a drive source, the endless belt having one substantially rectilinear part extending alongside of the guide channel substantially over its entire length in order to feed the parts.

Abstract: The separation device includes a container having a dome-shaped base and a peripheral wall surrounding the base to define a chamber for receiving a random mixture of defective and nondefective articles. A spiral-shaped ramp on the peripheral wall which surrounds the chamber and overhangs the base, leads to an elevated outlet opening. A vibrating device vibrates the chamber to excite movement of the defective and nondefective articles along the base and onto and up the ramp toward the outlet opening. The container also includes trap openings in the base and ramp to eliminate defective articles from the chamber. Discriminating devices are provided on the ramp that cause defective material to fall from the ramp back onto the base of the chamber. Only the nondefective articles can move on the ramp past the trapping devices toward the outlet of the container for transfer to another processing station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching surgical sutures to eyeless surgical needles. The apparatus includes a system for automatically presenting the surgical needles to a frame which positions and maintains the needle for subsequent swaging and a rotating die system which selectively impacts the needle to secure the suture thereto.

Abstract: A high resolution article handling system serves as an article discriminator or identifier by creating an object silhouette. The objects are singulated on a conveyor and scanned by a linear array of CCD units (2048 pixels per inch) at a scan rate of 10 MHz. Pixel transitions corresponding to object edge points are converted to a single count value from a counter which is synchronized with the scanner. A microprocessor with a first in, first out buffer memory needs only a capacity to handle the count value rather than all data from the pixels. Article orientation is corrected in response to signal generated by determining the count value difference between a reference value and a work article value at only the scan slice windows at equally spaced positions along the article length where differences have been predetermined to be a maximum.

Abstract: An improved vibratory pile conveyor system has an input chute with independently controlled pile covered feeder surfaces that directs elongated articles into an accumulator. The accumulator is also composed of independently controlled feeder surfaces covered with directional pile material Elongated articles are randomly circulated within the accumulator in a direction dictated by the pile material until the articles are transferred onto a pile-covered delivery feeder surface. An endless belt conveyor driven by a variable speed drive motor is positioned at the output end of the delivery feeder surface. The endless belt conveyor is rotated at a speed so that as the elongated articles leave the delivery feeder surface and enter onto a loading station section of the belt, their longitudinal axes are automatically positioned parallel to the direction of travel of the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A device for continuously feeding kick springs. It has a bowl adapted to be vibrated in a circumferential direction and provided in its inner peripheral surface with a spiral track. An arcuate guide is connected to the top end of the track. A vibration feeder is provided to bring one of two bent pieces at both ends of each kick spring into engagement with an inner edge of the arcuate guide and to feed the kick springs continuously while keeping their attitude substantially horizontal. A chute has one side thereof connected continuously to the inner edge of the guide for feeding the kick springs in one direction keeping one of the two bent pieces of each kick spring facing one side of the chute. The chute is provided on the top surface thereof with a guide surface for guiding one of kick legs of each kick spring and a guide groove for receiving a coiled portion and the other kick leg.

Abstract: Presented is an automated fastener feed system for feeding fastener elements such as threaded studs and nuts to a utilization device such as a press. The system includes a vibratory bowl into which the fastener devices are placed in an unoriented mass, and from which the fastener devices are fed into an orientation module that orients the fastener devices into the proper orientation to be delivered to the utilization device. Between the utilization device and the orientation module is a singulator module that receives the fastener devices, properly oriented, from the orientation device, and propels the fastener devices, either singly under manual operation, or continually under automatic operation, to the utilization device. A combination of pneumatic and electrical controls are utilized to control operation of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of a feeder for singulating and feeding various shaped sized and shaped parts without major modification. The present invention also provides an arrangement which utilizes the feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transferring flanged articles from a vibratory feeder to a discharge station which features a pair of feed rails one of which has a curved external hearing surface for providing point bearing contact with a flange of the article being transferred.A method is disclosed for discharging and orienting flanged articles for delivery from a vibratory feeding device which includes the mounting of one of a pair of feed rails above the other feed rail at an entrance end of a discharge device for supporting the flanged article with its body portion tilted away from the other rail and supporting an outlet end of the discharge device such that its rails position the body portion of the flanged article in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: Device for the storage and feed of small parts including a storage container (10, 10a), an ascending conveying track (38) and an oscillating drive (14) for the storage container (10, 10a). The base (24, 24a) of the storage container (10, 10a) is inclined in the oscillating direction and the conveying track (38) extends parallel to the base (24, 24a) and ascends in the oscillating direction in the same direction as the latter. The base (24, 24a) is provided with shoulders (34, 34a) arranged transversely relative to the oscillating direction, which shoulders (34, 34a) ensure that the stored small parts arrive in the input area (32) of the ascending conveying track (38) in an orderly manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus of a feeder for singulating and feeding various shaped sized and shaped parts without major modification. The present invention also provides an arrangement which utilizes the feeder.

Abstract: In a device for automatically supplying mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets and the like, there is provided a conveyance passage for conveying the fasteners in a crowded manner, a conveyance plate downwardly receiving the fasteners dropped out of the conveyance passage at the delivering end and conveying the same to a delivery position, holes provided through the conveyance plate for receiving the fasteners in mutual alignment, a device for removing fasteners not inserted in the holes of the conveyance plate, and a device for delivering fasteners inserted in the holes out of these holes at the delivery position.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for accepting an initially presented population of randomly oriented articles formed from a soft elastomeric material, and providing a high-speed output stream, wherein all said articles are commonly oriented for further mechanical manipulation. The apparatus includes an input bowl for accepting the articles, which bowl includes a rotatable central disk for feeding objects incident thereupon to the periphery of the disk. A continuous wall member extends upwardly from the disk periphery about a major arced zone. An output section defined adjacent the periphery of the disk at the portion opposed to the arced zone receives and delivers the articles from the disk, and an arrangement is provided for causing the disk to undergo vibratory motions while it is rotated.