US Patent 7086522 Device for vibratory indexing of portioned pieces

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.