Abstract: An automated product diverter for a reciprocally movable conveying device generally provides a stationary base; a reciprocally movable conveyor bed supported by the stationary base; a product diverter that moves in an arc along a product transporting surface of the reciprocally movable conveyor; and an actuator carried by the stationary base and which operatively communicates with the diverter arm, and the reciprocal movement of the conveyor bed and the diverter arm is isolated from the actuator carried by the stationary base.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus (10) comprises a trough (20) for conveying articles from an upstream side to a downstream side, a vibrator (30) for vibrating the trough (20), and an attachment/detachment mechanism (40) for attaching and detaching the trough (20) and the vibrator (30). The attachment/detachment mechanism (40) has a trough-side attachment/detachment member (50), a vibrator-side attachment/detachment member (70), and a lever (65). The trough-side attachment/detachment member (50), which is secured to a trough bottom plate (21), has a protruding part (55) disposed on the upstream side and an eccentric cam (66) disposed on the downstream side. The vibrator-side attachment/detachment member (70), which is secured to the vibrator (30), has a protruding part (72) disposed on the upstream side and a bent part (73) disposed on the downstream side.

Abstract: An article sorting and conveying device that conveys articles by the vibrations of a movable body provided through an elastic support unit, includes a first vibration unit that imparts a periodic vibration force to the movable body in a direction inclined from a vertical direction; a second vibration unit that imparts a periodic vibration force in a direction crossing the periodic vibration force by the first vibration unit; and a vibration control unit that causes a periodic vibration force imparted by each vibration unit to have a phase difference and occur simultaneously at the same frequency, and that creates an elliptical vibration trajectory in the movable body. The articles are sorted and conveyed on the movable body by setting the vibration trajectory of the movable body by the vibration control unit such that articles having a different coefficient of friction are conveyed in different directions.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for feeding discrete articles. The vibratory apparatus has a tray for receiving the discrete articles and a vibratory drive for imparting a vibration movement to the tray. A retaining device releasably retains the tray to the vibratory drive. The retaining device includes a tray locking assembly selectively moveable between a locked position to lock the tray to the vibratory drive and an unlocked position to unlock the tray from the vibratory drive. In the unlocked position the tray can be removed from the vibratory drive. In the locked position the tray is locked to the vibratory drive in a vibration transmission relationship.

Abstract: A slip conveyor assembly 10 is disclosed. The assembly 10 includes six slip conveyors 11 to 16 being arranged in series. Each of the conveyors 11 to 16 includes a tray 18 of “U” transverse cross-section. Each tray 18 is operated by a drive assembly 19 that horizontally reciprocates (oscillates) the associated tray 18 to cause product to advance along the assembly 10. Adjacent trays 18 may be displaced so that there is a gap between adjacent trays through which product may be delivered.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly to deliver flavoring to a conveyor upon which a product to be coated is conveyed. The flavoring is typically in granular form such as a powder. The assembly includes a conveyor including a longitudinally elongated tray that is vibrated by an actuator. The tray and actuator are adapted to distribute the flavoring transversely across the conveyor.

Abstract: A slip conveyor (10) having a plurality of trays (11, 12, 13). Each of the trays (11, 12, 13) has an end portion (19) with an edge (29) inclined to the longitudinal direction of movement (14) of the tray (11, 12, 13).

Abstract: A balanced vibrating conveyor apparatus is provided by using a torsion bar spring and rocker arm for conveyor trough and balancing weight. The design provides synchronized 180° out of phase vibrations of trough and balancing weight as well as balance at variations in stroke lengths. With a torsion bar spring at the rocker arm node point, dynamic forces are minimized in the conveyor frame, as well as the building support structure.

Abstract: A vibrator (16) for the tray (10) of a vibratory conveyor (slip conveyor). The conveyor (16) includes bases 19 and 20 supported by resilient mountings (17, 18) on a stationary structure 37. Elongated resilient mountings (17, 18) extend between bases (19, 22), with the tray (10) supported on the base (23).

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibratory parts feeding system having an electromagnetic securement system for operatively coupling a feeder bowl, inline feeder, and/or hopper bin to their respective base drive units. The securement system includes a metallic plate and a mounting portion, wherein the metallic plate is affixed to or integrated into the feeder bowl, inline feeder, or hopper bin and the mounting portion, which includes an electromagnet, is affixed to or integrated into the base drive unit. The metallic plate and mounting portion are designed to interface with one another, and when the electromagnet is energized, the metallic plate is secured to the base drive unit by the mounting portion.

Abstract: A container filling machine comprising a vibration tray that is suitable for moving discrete articles from a discrete article receiving end of the vibration tray towards a plurality of guiding paths that lead to a container. The container filling machine further comprises at least one spacing device located in proximity to the vibration tray. The at least one spacing device is operative for receiving the discrete articles from the vibration tray at a first speed, and causing the discrete articles to be deposited into the plurality of guiding paths at a second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) includes a tray (12) laterally moveable in a forward direction at a first speed and in a backward direction at a second speed greater than the first speed, thereby moving goods along the tray. A plurality of legs (18, 20) support the tray during lateral movement, and a motor (30) powers a drive pulley (30). A driven pulley (36) is powered by the drive pulley, and a flexible member (34) interconnects the driven pulley and the drive pulley. At least the driven pulley has an eccentric pulley axis, thereby imparting lateral movement to the tray. A tension mechanism (38, 40) is provided to take up slack in the flexible member.

Abstract: A conveyor (10) includes an elongate tray (12) for supporting goods thereon, and a powered drive (16) to move goods along the tray. In one embodiment, a gate (24) is supported on this tray for closing an opening in the tray or for opening to allow goods to drop through the tray opening. The gate has a first magnet (34) supported thereon. A gate drive (22) moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and has a second magnet (32) which cooperates with the first magnet such that the magnets separate if the gate encounters an obstruction when closing.

Abstract: A parts conveyor apparatus that conveys parts using the vibrations includes an electromagnetic motor that generates the vibrations; a rotary panel which is mounted on an output shaft of the electromagnetic motor and rotates eccentrically by the rotation of the output shaft; and a spring member which vibrates by the rotation of the rotary panel.

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: 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: A moving table supports a parts conveying member. A fixed table is disposed below the moving table and supports the moving table so as to freely vibrate the moving table through a vibration generator. The vibration generator includes a first elastic member and a piezoelectric element mounted to the first elastic member. One end of the first elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end is fixed to the fixed table. A support member includes a second elastic member. One of the second elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end member is fixed to the fixed table. Accordingly, the piezo-driven parts feeder can be reduced in height, the stress that acts on the vibration generator can be restricted, sufficient amplitude can be ensured and the stress on the vibration generator can be restricted even during high-frequency driving, and the replacement of the vibration generator and the change and control of the resonance frequency can easily be performed.

Abstract: A slip conveyor assembly (10) having a plurality of slip conveyors (11 to 16). Each slip conveyor (11 to 16) has a tray (18) providing a conveyor surface (20) along which product is delivered. The trays (18) are arrangeable and caused to reciprocate so that product may be conveyed in either longitudinal direction, with at least two of the trays being arrangeable to provide a gap (32) therebetween to provide for delivery of product from the conveyor assembly (10).

Abstract: A dosing device of a pulverulent material uses an oscillating drive mechanism with straight to-and-fro movement to extract and dose a pulverulent material contained in a hopper with a calibrated outlet aperture, and then to transfer the extracted mass to a removal point. The hopper can be fixed or movable. To measure the mass flowrate extracted from the aperture, the hopper is connected to the mechanism by a flexible blade and bears on a table equipped with a weighing cell formed by a weight sensor. The weight variation indicates the mass flowrate, which can be adjusted by acting on the oscillation frequency of the mechanism, or on the opening of the outlet aperture.

Abstract: A portioned piece spacing apparatus having at least one contoured chute. The contoured chute having at least one angle of declination, a receiving area and an discharge tip. The at least one vibrating chute being coupled to a vibrating mechanism through an at least one resilient member supporting the at least one contoured chute, wherein the vibrating mechanism vibrates the chute such that the portioned piece moves upward and forward relative to the at least one contoured chutes and the portioned pieces are held on the contoured chute and allowed to accumulate in a spaced manner at a discharge end of the contoured chute.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus for conveying material. The apparatus includes a bed on which material is conveyed, a counterbalance supported on a plurality of isolation springs, a plurality of inclined drive springs extending between the bed and the counterbalance, and a plurality of stabilizers for controlling movement of the drive springs along their central axes. A first pair of vibratory motors, each having rotatable eccentric weights, and a second pair of vibratory motors, each having rotatable eccentric weights, are attached to the counterbalance. The eccentric weights rotate in phase with one another to vibrate the bed at a vibration frequency.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having a conveying member made substantially of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene material. The conveying member can be provided with a support structure for supporting the conveying member. At least one biasing member and at least one securing member can be used to secure the conveying member to the support structure. The biasing member and the securing member, along with the support structure, form an arrangement which can allow the conveying device to accommodate the growths and deformities of the conveying member.

Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path, and a center of gravity. Resilient isolators are connected to the trough assembly and adapted to isolate the trough assembly from underlying terrain. An exciter mass assembly includes an exciter frame and a vibration generator coupled to the exciter frame for generating vibratory forces, the exciter mass assembly having a center of gravity. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly.

Abstract: A two-way vibratory conveyor includes at least one trough mounted on a base and a drive which reciprocally moves the trough(s). The conveyor, which in one embodiment has two interconnected troughs and in another embodiment has a single trough, includes a drive which uses a single motor. In the two-trough conveyor, the two troughs are driven in opposite directions. In the single-trough conveyor, the single motor is used to selectively drive the trough in one of two opposite directions. The troughs are mounted to a base using springs and stabilizer arms. The stabilizer arms, which are made of ductile iron, have been found to be withstand larger loads and have a longer useful life than currently available stabilizer arms.

Abstract: A bearing system which is for suspending the swing frame of a conveyor grate in a swinging manner on a support structure. Two elastic spring rods are arranged next to each other in a common plane of swinging. The spring rods have a first end clamped in a fixed manner on clamping points of a first structural component. The second ends of the spring rods are clamped in a fixed manner to connection points on a rigid coupling system. The rigid coupling system is connected with the second structural component. The spring rods are inclined toward each other in the swinging plane. The coupling system is connected with the second structural component so that it can be tilted in the swinging plane via a flexible connection. Because of the inclination of the spring rods, when they are jointly deflected, one of the spring rods always describes a downward arc and the other an upward arc.

Abstract: An exciter mass assembly for vibratory processing equipment includes an exciter frame and at least one resilient member connecting the exciter frame to the vibratory processing equipment. A motor is supported by the exciter frame so that the exciter frame and motor define a frame center of gravity. The motor includes a rotating shaft defining a shaft center of gravity. The prime mover is positioned with respect to the exciter frame such that the shaft center of gravity is substantially coincident with the exciter mass center of gravity, thereby to minimize movement of the exciter mass assembly in unintended directions.

Abstract: A two-way vibratory conveyor includes at least one trough mounted on a base and a drive which reciprocally moves the trough(s). The conveyor, which in one embodiment has two interconnected troughs and in another embodiment has a single trough, includes a drive which uses a single motor. In the two-trough conveyor, the two troughs are driven in opposite directions. In the single-trough conveyor, the single motor is used to selectively drive the trough in one of two opposite directions. The troughs are mounted to a base using springs and stabilizer arms. The stabilizer arms, which are made of ductile iron, have been found to be withstand larger loads and have a longer useful life than currently available stabilizer arms.

Abstract: A vibratory feeding system includes a hopper, a tray and a vibrator. The hopper is disposed above the tray so that components can flow from the hopper to the tray. The vibrator is mounted to the tray, so that the tray can be vibrated to move components along the tray. The tray can have a v-groove along which the plurality of components can flow. The tray can also have a plurality of sections that are separated by steps. The plurality of components flow down the steps as they move along the tray. The vibration, the v-groove and the steps cause the components to be singulated as they flow along the tray. A plurality of shedders can be mounted to the tray to create a path through which the components flow. The shedders can regulate the flow of components from the hopper and/or assist in singulating the components.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor has an eccentric shaft drive system mounted at an angle relative to horizontal plane defined by the conveyor deck. Rotation of the drive shafts and associated eccentric weight elements causes a net force to be imparted to the conveyor deck at an angle relative to horizontal plane defined by the deck to convey material forward. The drive shafts are mounted and controlled such that changing the phase angle between the respective drive shafts causes a change in direction of the net force output of the drive system, thereby resulting in a directional or sideways conveying motion.

Abstract: An exciter mass assembly for vibratory processing equipment includes an exciter frame and at least one resilient member connecting the exciter frame to the vibratory processing equipment. A motor is supported by the exciter frame so that the exciter frame and motor define a frame center of gravity. The motor includes a rotating shaft defining a shaft center of gravity. The prime mover is positioned with respect to the exciter frame such that the shaft center of gravity is substantially coincident with the exciter mass center of gravity, thereby to minimize movement of the exciter mass assembly in unintended directions.

Abstract: A vibratory feeding system includes a hopper, a tray and a vibrator. The hopper is disposed above the tray so that components can flow from the hopper to the tray. The vibrator is mounted to the tray, so that the tray can be vibrated to move components along the tray. The tray can have a v-groove along which the plurality of components can flow. The tray can also have a plurality of sections that are separated by steps. The plurality of components flow down the steps as they move along the tray. The vibration, the v-groove and the steps cause the components to be singulated as they flow along the tray. A plurality of shedders can be mounted to the tray to create a path through which the components flow. The shedders can regulate the flow of components from the hopper and/or assist in singulating the components.

Abstract: A plurality of trough displacement characteristics and drive signals for driving a drive unit 26 for a trough 25 are determined in association with each other and the speed of transport of the articles M transported by the trough 25 having one of the trough displacement characteristics is also determined. Accordingly, a plurality of relationships between the transport speed of the articles M and the drive signal of the drive unit 26 can be determined and, based on these relationships and merely by inputting a target speed to be attained by the articles M, the drive signal for the drive unit 26 can easily be selected which enables the speed of transport of the articles M to attain the target speed.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying device comprise an elongated trough for transporting materials, and a base underlying the trough. A plurality of elongated leaf springs support the trough on the base, with a vibratory drive system operatively connected to the base for effecting vibratory movement of the trough. Economical manufacture and efficient maintenance are facilitated by configuring the base so that it comprises a pair of sheet-like base side members, with a laterally extending drive support member extending therebetween. In the preferred form, the drive support member is detachably connected to the base side members with suitable mechanical fasteners. In turn, a pair of rotary vibratory drives of the drive system are removably mounted on respective opposite sides of the drive support member by a plurality of threaded mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: Sprouting beans refining apparatus is provided wherein refuse matters of hulls, trashes, small roots, etc. are removed of sprouting beans efficiently. Sprouting beans raked up by raking-up conveyor 1 are caused to fall down on endless flat belt 6 which is supported by vibration frame 3 inclinedly upwardly toward moving direction. Sprouting beans on the endless flat belt are sent downwardly by vibration of the vibration frame 3 to fall down on lower endless flat belt 6. Refuse matters of roots, trashes, etc. contained in the sprouting beans attach to surface of the endless flat belt 6 and are transferred together with the endless flat belt 6 to be removed off by scraper 12. Refined sprouting beans are discharged from lower end of the endless flat belt 6 of lowermost stage.

Abstract: The control system of the present invention is particularly usable with extended vibration conveyors and permits the installation of a multiple of drive vibratory drive units comprised of one or more vibratroy modules. Each module comprises a motor, one or more shafts mounting eccentric weights, and a shaft encoder device monitoring the "relative position" of each shaft with respect for each shaft. One shaft, a master shaft, is driven continuously driven at a predetermined speed from which the actual relative positions are compared.

Abstract: A vibratory feed device is described for producing a high-speed single-file stream of aligned food articles. The feed device comprises a vibratory guide trough extending longitudinally from a receiving end to a discharge end. The guide trough has inclined and transversely-opposed sidewalls. An endless feed belt travels longitudinally through the guide trough from the receiving end to the discharge end. The feed belt has outer portions which incline upwardly to form a concave conveyor surface for conveying food articles through the guide trough. The guide trough oscillates to singulate and align food articles within the concave conveyor surface. The feed device also includes a redirection sheave at the discharge end of the guide trough. The redirection sheave supports the feed belt along a redirection arc which extends at least partially about the redirection sheave. An endless hold-down belt faces the feed belt along the redirection arc to hold food articles against the feed belt.

Abstract: A three mass, two trough feeder transfers articles on first and second troughs by vibrating the troughs. First and second leaf springs support the troughs on a base with the troughs in line with each other and with one trough overlapping the other. The ratio of the spring constant of the first leaf springs to the first trough mass equals the ratio of the spring constant of the second leaf spring to the second trough mass. An electromagnetic driver between one of the troughs and the base is excited with a signal having a frequency with an angular velocity equal to the square root of the ratio. A plurality of feeders may be positioned radially outwardly about the periphery of a conical head for distributing articles.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus and method is provided for cooling product as it is conveyed from one station to another. The vibratory apparatus has a conveyor with means for sensing a predetermined weight of product accumulated at a loading portion of the conveyor whereupon the conveyor is operated to convey the product along the conveyor. When the product has been conveyed a sufficient distance along the conveyor for the weight of the product on the loading portion to fall below a second predetermined weight, the sensing means stops the conveyor. The continuously fed product again accumulates on the loading portion of the conveyor until the sensing means senses the first predetermined weight for again operating the conveyor. The cycle is continuously repeated. The accumulated product dwells a sufficient period of time on the conveyor to cool the product which cooling is aided by the vibratory conveying action.

Abstract: A shaker conveyor is disclosed which includes a conveyor trough supported for reciprocating movement and having drive means including a pull rod adapted to effect reciprocating movement of the conveyor in a manner to advance discrete particles therealong. The conveyor trough has a resiliently mounted discharge end adapted to withstand forces which might otherwise tend to damage the trough and pull rod, and the pull rod is adapted to undergo axial foreshortening when subjected to predetermined axial loading so as to prevent damage thereto.

Abstract: A method of aligning sticks in which the sticks are oscillated in a receiving zone where they are aligned and conveyed to a collecting zone where they are stacked in parallel side-by-side relationship. The collecting zone is vibrated to dispense the sticks laterally, still in parallel alignment. An aligning tray has two sets of parallel, elongated channels and is reciprocated vertically and in a direction parallel with the channels. Randomly oriented sticks are fed to the first set, aligned in the channels, fed to the second set, which has half as many channels, and then fed through sloping chutes to a set of hoppers. The hopppers and chutes are vibrated vertically and receive the sticks in parallel stacks. The vibrating motion causes the sticks to leave the hoppers laterally and roll down ramps to a non-vibrating conveyor belt which translates the sticks in a direction perpendicular to the long dimension of the sticks to a receiving location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device acting between to adjacent tubs of a scraping conveyor for mines in which each tub comprises two side members.The recesses for the abutment flanges, like the access openings, are laterally accessible. The retaining partition of the male connecting member is positioned behind the projecting portion of this member. The cross-section of the connecting spindle has dimensions which differ in at least two directions, which are preferably perpendicular to one another. As regards the partition, the width of the access opening of each connecting member is smaller than the maximum dimension, but greater than the minimum dimension of the spindle cross-section. The spindle locking means are arranged so as to prevent the spindle appearing in front of the opening in a position in which the small dimension of its cross-section coincides with the width of the said opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to connecting members for the ends of adjacent tubs of a scraper conveyor for the use in mines in which each tub comprises two side members.The supporting partition of each connecting member has a rear face serving as a support for one of the retaining flanges and extends transversely up to the corresponding side member or up to its extension. The supporting partition is located at the rear end of the projecting portion of the male member. The width of the lateral access opening for each partition is less than the maximum dimension of the cross-section of the corresponding locating slot of the partition. The junction zones between the lateral access opening and the locating slot at the partition constitute a lateral locking means for the connecting rods relative to the partition.

Abstract: Fast-assembly flume apparatus for transferring fish during fish loading and unloading operations. The apparatus includes a plurality of like, generally half-hexagonal flume members. These flume members are nestable to permit compact stowing and are positionable in a longitudinal array for transferring fish along a desired path. A power-driven endless belt may be built into auxiliary units of the flume members to facilitate fish transfer.

Abstract: The apparatus is distinguished in that its feeding trough cambered in the direction from the loading end towards the unloading end thereof is arranged with its camber up so that its feeding surface is convex.