High-speed vibratory alignment and singulation conveyor

A vibratory feed device for producing a high-speed single-file stream of food articles, the feed device comprising:

• a guide trough extending longitudinally from a receiving end to a discharge end, the guide trough having a pair of inclined and transversely-opposed sidewalls which extend longitudinally between the receiving end and the discharge end;
• an endless flexible feed belt which travels longitudinally through the guide trough between the inclined sidewalls from the receiving end to the discharge end, the feed belt having outer portions which are slidably supported on the guide trough sidewalls to form a concave conveyor surface for conveying food articles through the guide trough, the feed belt also having a medial portion which extends between the outer portions of the feed belt to form a conveyor base surface;
• a stationary support rail which extends longitudinally beneath the feed belt, the medial portion of the feed belt being slidably supported on the support rail;
• and
• a vibratory drive connected to vibrate the guide trough relative to the support rail.

A vibratory feed device for producing a high-speed single-file stream of food articles, the feed device comprising:

• a guide trough extending longitudinally from a receiving end to a discharge end, the trough having inclined and transversely-opposed sidewalls;
• an endless feed belt which travels longitudinally through the guide trough from the receiving end to the discharge end, the feed belt having upwardly extending outer portions, the feed belt forming a concave conveyor surface for conveying food articles through the guide trough;
• a vibratory drive connected to vibrate the guide trough;
• a redirection sheave at the discharge end of the guide trough, the redirection sheave supporting the feed belt along a redirection arc which extends at least partially about the redirection sheave;
• and
• a endless hold-down belt facing the feed belt along the redirection arc to hold food articles against the feed belt along the redirection arc.

A feed device for producing a high-speed single-file stream of food articles, the feed device comprising:

• a guide trough extending longitudinally from a receiving end to a discharge end, the trough having inclined and transversely-opposed sidewalls;
• an endless feed belt which travels longitudinally through the guide trough from the receiving end to the discharge end, the feed belt having upwardly extending outer portions, the feed belt forming a concave conveyor surface for conveying food articles through the guide trough;
• a redirection sheave at the discharge end of the guide trough, the redirection sheave supporting the feed belt along a redirection arc which extends at least partially about the redirection sheave;
• and
• a endless hold-down belt facing the feed belt along the redirection arc to hold food articles against the feed belt along the redirection arc.