Wells, St. John, Roberts, Gregory & Matkin
High-speed vibratory alignment and singulation conveyor
 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. 
Key Technology, Inc.
B
B65G
inventional
Walter L. James E.
Davis Anderson