Vibratory tray conveyor and method

US8770433B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGY INC. · US

Inventors

• Gerald A. Sus · Frankfort, US
• Glenn Schackmuth · Oswego, US
• Craig Conley · Oswego, US
• Ron Dorsten · Oak Brook, US
• Henry T. Ewald · Schaumburg, US
• Jenny Hong · Palatine, US
• David Bone · Usk, GB
• Brian Rudesill · Hudson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 2, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2014
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47J37/1228
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A tray for vibratory conveying of food articles from a hopper is provided. The tray includes a tray body, food inlet portion, and a food outlet portion. An upwardly extending dividing member divides the tray into at least two food inlet conveyor passageways, the inlet conveyor passageways merging into a single food passageway that extends to the food outlet portion. The single food passageway may have an initially wide portion and subsequently narrow to a narrow portion as it approaches a discharge end. This arrangement helps to declump food items, preferably causing food items the size of chicken nuggets to be conveyed in a single-file arrangement along the single food passageway. The single food passageway is preferably non-linear, and may, for example, have a zigzag or serpentine configuration to promote accurate dispensing of food items.