Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for transporting eggs, comprising: a frame (2), at least one first receiving station (5) connected to a first height to the frame for eggs supplied via a feed channel, a dispensing station (6) for the eggs connected to a second height to the frame, and a conveyor (7, 11) carried by the frame and extending along the at least one receiving station and the dispensing station for the purpose of transporting the eggs from the at least one receiving station to the dispensing station, wherein the first receiving station can be connected at different heights to the frame. The device preferably comprises at least a second receiving station which can likewise be connected at different heights to the frame, wherein the conveyor extends along at least the second receiving station. Because only a single dispensing station is present, the flows of eggs are combined into a single flow.
Abstract:
An egg chain gripper actuating device (1) for use with an egg transfer device. The device comprises an egg conveyor with parallel egg chains movable in a transport direction, each chain supporting egg grippers each adapted to support an egg, which grippers can individually be actuated. The device further comprises an egg receiving unit (17) with an receiving area (18) for receiving eggs released by the egg grippers. The device further comprises one group of one or more actuators for each egg chain, which actuators (5,6) are designed for selectively actuating passing egg grippers. Multiple support frames (2,3) are provided, each supporting one or more groups of actuators (5,6), of which at least one frame is adjustable parallel to the transport direction and relative to another frame, such that the position of the actuators of the one or more groups supported by the frame can be adjusted relative to the position of the one of more actuators of the one ore more groups supported by the other frame.
Abstract:
A conveying and orienting system for handling eggs including a main conveyor for supporting thereupon a plurality of eggs and for segregating the same into individual file lines prior to delivery to a spool bar conveyor for subsequent egg handling operations. One or more return conveyors are positioned alongside the main conveyor and communicate with the main conveyor at first and second end locations. A control mechanism independently adjusts a travel speed of at least one of the main and return conveyors, this in order to redirect, along the return conveyors for reintroduction onto upstream locations of the main conveyor, a plurality of eggs which exceed of the present handling capabilities of the individual segregating lanes and spool bar.
Abstract:
An egg transport module receives the daily egg production from a shed and stores it under refrigerated conditions. The module may be lifted by a forklift (see slots 12) or moved on wheels (11). Loose eggs are loaded onto conveyor belts carried by shelves (20) by loader/unloader (50), the head (54) of which is moved vertically to access different shelves (20). Head (54) has accumulating conveyor (55), transfer belt conveyor (64), roller (60) and a flexible bridge to reach across to respective shelf (20). When aligned, a gear (61) on loader head (54) indirectly engages gear (26) of the conveyor of shelf (20) and eggs are carried onto somewhat upwardly sloping shelf (20). After loading with eggs, shelves (20), which consist of four articulated pans, are made to assume a shallow W-configuration causing loose eggs to nest at the lowermost regions thereof.
Abstract:
An end of arm tool that is capable of handling fragile items such as eggs that are packaged in containers (e.g., egg cartons) that require special handling is provided. The end of arm tool comprises vacuum cup assemblies to grip the top surfaces of the packages, clamp fingers to clamp the edges of the packages, and optionally a pusher assembly to release the packages from the clamp fingers. In addition, a method of loading packages into cases using the end of arm tool apparatus of the present invention is provided. A gripper may be provided to place divider sheets between packages in the cases.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a conveyor arrangement for impact-sensitive products, in particular eggs, comprising a conveyor device for conveying the products, a temporary storage area configured to accommodate the products that have to be temporarily stored after a discontinuous supply or discharge, a control device for increasing the discharge and/or for reducing the supply of products in the temporary storage area of the conveyor device when a predetermined critical number of products in said area is exceeded. The invention is characterized in that a force measuring device is provided, which is configured and arranged in such a way that a force resulting from the products present in the temporary storage area can be detected, said force representing a measure for the number of products present in the temporary storage area. Furthermore, the control device is configured such that it can process the force detected by the force measuring device as an input variable, thereby increasing or reducing the discharge and/or supply of products to/from the temporary storage area in accordance with the value of the force.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus for removing undesirable products, for instance eggs or fruits, from a stream of products which are fed in at least one single row on well-defined positions of an endless feed conveyor, for instance lying on rollers of a roller conveyor, and which are transferred in conveying direction to and onto at least one single row of an endless follow -on conveyor which is placed at virtually the same height in alignment with said feed conveyor, wherein the transfer of each product is carried out by a product transfer element which, upon transfer, takes up a transfer position between and in alignment with the two said rows, wherein the said undesirable products are removed from the stream of products at the end of said feed conveyor, wherein the product transfer element is energized and is removed from the transfer position, wherein the product transfer element takes up the transfer position only during transfer of the products from the feed conveyor to and onto the follow-on conveyor, while in the stream of products after the feed conveyor and prior to the follow-on conveyor the desired products only come into contact with said product transfer elements. Preferably, the product transfer elements are provided on a cylinder drum between said feed conveyor and said follow-on conveyor.