Systems and methods for processing eggs and other objects

[0001] This application reserves priority in accordance with art. 35 USC § 119 (e) from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 296,837, entitled 'PROCESSES AND METHODS OF PROCESSING EGG', filed on January 20, 2010.

[0002] This application also claims benefits in accordance with art. 35 USC § 120 as a continuation of the following US standard patent applications filed on January 20, 2010:

<td>Serial number</td><td>Title</td>

<td> 12/690,859</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

<td> 12/690,872</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

<td> 12/690,876</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

<td> 12/690,886</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

<td> 12/690,890</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

<td> 12/690,896</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

<td> 12/690,898</td><td>PROCESSES AND WAYS OF PROCESSING EGGS</td>

Field [0003] The invention described herein relates generally to the fields related to food safety and processing of food products. Some of the described embodiments relate to laser marking systems and techniques, ink marking and / or egg processing in some other way.

Background [0004] Food safety is generally a major social problem. In particular, eggs are a food product distributed and consumed in large quantities, and for many of the same reasons that make them desirable food products, they also pose a unique safety risk. Eggs (usually chicken eggs) contain nutrients that can support the growth of dangerous bacteria in the event of contamination. [0005] Eggs are also an article susceptible to spoilage. To address concerns about spoilage - i.e. whether the egg is fresh - the egg packaging usually has (often by law or regulation) the expiration dates on it. However, eggs can be stored for many days or even weeks before being sold in retail. Expiration dates (a term covering versions of dates such as "before sale" and "best before") may thus not provide the consumer or user with information on how "old" this egg is in

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Indeed. Many consumers also transfer eggs from the packaging to special containers in refrigerators. In this way, eggs from many cartons can be further mixed. When this happens, the consumer is no longer able to assess the expiration date of individual eggs before they are used. [0006] To reduce the risk of rotten egg being sold to consumers, certain government bodies in the United States and other countries, e.g. the Food and Drug Administration The FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and various other state governments currently do not allow retailers to "repack" eggs, ie transfer eggs from one package to another. However, this restriction can unfortunately cause huge waste. For example, whenever the integrity of even one egg in the packaging in the hands of the seller is compromised (e.g. it is broken), the entire packaging of eggs should be removed.

[0007] Eggs usually undergo many treatments before they are ready for sale to crowds of consumers. In many cases, for example, eggs go through several processing stations where they are washed, x-rayed, weighed, sorted and placed in packaging (e.g. cartons, boxes or other commercially distributed packaging). Examples of such processing stations and mechanisms for transferring eggs from one station to another are, for example, described in the following US patents of Diamond Automation, Inc .: 4,189,898; 4,195,736; 4,505,373; 4,519,494; 4,519,505; 4,569,444; 4,750,316; 5,321,491 and 6,056,341. It is not uncommon for about one million eggs to be released in a place where such sites operate. Therefore, for commercial acceptance, the capacity of the stands must be quite high, some stands usually order 20,000 eggs per hour.

[0008] Thus, if contamination (and possibly spoilage) of eggs is detected, it is not only likely that the number of people who get sick - or worse - will be quite high, but also that huge amounts of eggs will have to be withdrawn and destroyed. Many of these eggs have not been contaminated, but must be destroyed - with significant financial loss - because there is no way to isolate rotten eggs from the total amount of eggs from a suspicious source.

[0009] To date, several techniques have been proposed for marking individual eggs with expiration dates and the like. One way is to use vegetable dyes or other water-soluble ink products to mark eggs. However, such products tend to leak inside the eggs and may cause unwanted ink spots inside the eggs. The tendency of such products to wash or fade also means that such markings are susceptible to tampering and even to unintentional loss of integrity (e.g. dripping and smudging due to condensation and processing) and essentially limited their acceptance.

Summary [0010] It is also known to use lasers for marking indications on perishable products, to monitor their origin and / or integrity (e.g. using date codes and / or identification codes) and to allow textual or graphic messages advertising was distributed through such products. Example of a layout for

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Laser marking of such information on chicken eggs has been described, for example, in US Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 725,099, Publication No. 2008/0223834 ("'834 Application"), published on September 18, 2008.

Summary [0011] The method described in the '834 application consists of laser marking information on eggs when they are transmitted at high speed during the sorting process. Such information may include, for example, a freshness date, an identification code and / or an advertisement. Although this method proved to be effective in some applications, the exceptionally large processing of sorting devices, the lack of uniform moisture content on the surface of individual eggs during the sorting process and the significant amount of dust created during the laser marking process, among others, made marking of individual eggs with sufficient accuracy, reliability and consistency for specific purposes.

[0012] Among these purposes, providing a freshness date and / or identification code in relation to which the egg processing history could be saved in an online database, obviously requires marking, which is not only durable and difficult to process, but which it is also legible in a clear and reliable manner.

[0013] In addition, it should be noted that egg producers have invested considerable sums of money in their computer equipment - sorting, packaging, conveyors, etc. Replacing such equipment with completely new systems would be a significant challenge and a slow process of introducing the extremely needed improvement in food safety. For this reason, there is a need for a method for marking eggs based on equipment that can be attached to existing egg processing systems. This need is complicated by the fact that the existing egg processing device has different designs. Advantageously, a marking system can be provided which is suitable for use with various egg processing devices, with no or minimal modification of such a device.

[0014] Prior methods may not meet the above objectives or requirements.

[0015] The present disclosure presents new methods for labeling eggs based on the inventive device and methods, various alternative embodiments of which are shown herein. Any single embodiment may not disclose and generally do not disclose all inventive aspects that are discussed. US 4 795 080 discloses the technical features of the preamble of claim 1. Patent 1.

[0016] In summary, the following paragraphs provide a non-exhaustive enumeration of the features of the embodiments described in more detail below and shown in the figures.

[0017] A method of laser marking an egg shell has been disclosed which comprises controlling a laser beam directed at the egg shell so as to cause discoloration of the outer layer of the egg shell substantially without etching the layers of the egg shell under the outer layer.

[0018] In addition, a method of laser marking eggs has been disclosed that includes pointing the laser beam at an egg at a power density of about 2000 W / sq (2000 W / 6.45 cm²) or less of

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At a sweep speed sufficient to cause a discoloration suitable for printing the image.

[0019] Furthermore, an egg with laser marking has been disclosed in which the depth of etching of the egg caused by the laser marking process does not exceed about 25 microns.

[0020] A method of processing an egg package is disclosed that includes adjusting the position of one or more eggs after placing the eggs in a container (also referred to as a package or carton) so that each egg adopts a specific orientation within the package.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method may also include marking information on the surface of one or more eggs after adjusting the position of the one or more eggs.

[0022] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the position of one or more eggs can be adjusted using an egg orienter located above the conveyor of the egg packaging station.

[0023] The position of the eggs in the package is adjusted such that the long axis of each egg in the package is inclined towards the rear of the package so that it is at least slightly shifted from the vertical line.

[0024] The long axes of all eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximately right angles to the line crossing the lower parts of the nests holding the eggs in such a row.

[0025] A device for processing egg packs on a conveyor is disclosed that includes an egg orientator configured and positioned relative to the conveyor so as to regulate the position of one or more eggs in each pack so that each egg in a given pack assumes a specific orientation within this packaging.

[0026] In some embodiments, the egg orienter may be positioned between the egg loading section and the closing section of the egg packer packaging.

[0027] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the device further includes a laser source and one or more optical controls configured and set to direct the laser energy from the laser source to laser mark information on the surface of one or more eggs while the eggs are in the packaging placed on the conveyor and in the specified orientation.

[0028] In some embodiments, the egg orientator may further be configured and positioned to adjust the position of one or more eggs in each package, such that the long axis of each egg in a given package is inclined towards the rear of the package so that was at least slightly shifted from the vertical line and / or so that the long axes of all eggs in each row of eggs in the pack form approximately right angles to the line crossing the lower parts of the nests holding the eggs in that row.

[0029] Furthermore, a device for processing egg packs on a conveyor is disclosed that includes means for regulating the position of one or more eggs in each pack, such that each egg in a given pack adopts a specific orientation and one or more sensors configured and set in to detect the position of each egg pack relative to the regulatory means.

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[0030] A method for marking eggs is disclosed that includes laser marking and / or ink marking information on one or more eggs while the eggs are in a package placed on the conveyor of the packing station.

[0031] Furthermore, a device for laser marking eggs on a conveyor is disclosed that includes a laser source and one or more optical controls configured and positioned to direct energy from the laser source to mark information on one or more eggs in packages placed in on the conveyor.

[0032] Furthermore, a laser marking device for eggs is disclosed that includes a laser source and means for directing energy from a laser source so as to mark information on one or more eggs in egg packaging placed on the conveyor of the packing station.

[0033] A packet of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows. The eggs are arranged in the package so that the long axis of each egg in the package is inclined towards the back of the package so that it is at least slightly shifted from the vertical line.

[0034] In some embodiments, each of the eggs in the package may contain laser-marked information on it in substantially the same location as on the other eggs in the package, and the eggs may be arranged in the package so that the markings on all the eggs are directed substantially in the same direction.

[0035] Furthermore, in some embodiments, each of the eggs in the package may contain specific information marked thereon, and each of the eggs in the package may be arranged such that at least that specific information is visible when the package is opened, without changing the position of the egg . [0036] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the eggs may be placed in the package in such a way that the long axes of all the eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximately right angles to the line crossing the lower parts of the nests holding the eggs in such a row and / or so that the long axes of all eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximately right angles to the line crossing the lower parts of the nests holding the eggs in such a row.

[0037] An egg packet is disclosed that comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows. The eggs are also arranged in the package in such a way that the long axis of each egg in the package is shifted no more than a certain number of degrees from the long axis of each other egg in the package.

[0038] Furthermore, an egg package is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows in which the eggs are further arranged in the package such that the long axes of all the eggs in the package are substantially parallel.

[0039] Furthermore, an egg pack is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows in which the eggs are arranged in a pack so that the long axes of all eggs in each row of eggs in the pack form approximately right angles to the line crossing the bottom parts of nests holding eggs in such a row.

[0040] A method of laser marking information on an egg is disclosed, which includes laser marking information on the egg such that a central information point is located between the center and the end of the egg.

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[0041] Furthermore, an egg has been disclosed having laser-marked information thereon in which the center point of the laser-marked information on the egg is between the center and the end of the egg.

[0042] Furthermore, a method of processing one or more eggs has been disclosed which comprises laser marking the first information on the first surface of the egg and laser marking the second information on the second surface of the egg such that the second information is directed in a substantially different direction from the first information.

[0043] Thus, there is also shown an egg having a laser marking in which the first information is laser marked on the first surface of the egg and the second information is laser marked on the second surface of the egg such that the second information is directed in a substantially different direction than the first information .

[0044] Furthermore, an egg pack is disclosed in which each egg in the pack has the first laser-marked information on it in substantially the same place as on the other eggs in the pack, and the eggs are arranged in the pack in such a way that the labeled information each egg is directed in the same direction as the laser marked information on the other eggs in the package. In addition, each of the eggs in the package has a second information laser marked on it in substantially the same place as on the other eggs in the package and, for each of the eggs in the package, the second information is directed in a substantially different direction from the first information.

[0045] Furthermore, an egg package has been disclosed in which at least two of the eggs have other information laser marked on them.

[0046] In some embodiments, the information may be laser marked on at least one egg, such that at least part of the information includes text that is horizontally oriented relative to the long axis of the egg, and / or such that the center point of the laser marked information on the egg is placed between the center and the end of the egg.

[0047] A method of laser marking eggs is disclosed that includes the use of a vision control system to monitor laser marking of eggs by means of a laser marking system and adjusting one or more parameters of the laser marking system (e.g., spot size intensity and / or exposure time) based on markings made by the video control system.

[0048] In addition, a laser egg marking system has been disclosed that includes a vision control system and one or more control elements. The video control system is configured and set to monitor the laser marking of eggs by the laser marking system, while one or more controls are configured and set to regulate one or more parameters of the laser marking system based on the markings made by the video control system.

[0049] Furthermore, a laser egg tagging system comprising a plurality of laser tagging devices and a central server has been disclosed. Laser marking devices are configured and set up to perform subsequent laser marking tasks given by local computers, to laser mark eggs packed by packing stations

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EP 2 525 979 B1 eggs. The central server is configured to distribute laser marking tasks to local computers.

[0050] Furthermore, a method of controlling laser marking tasks is disclosed, which comprises separating laser marking tasks from a central computer to local computers responsible for the laser marking task queue to one or more laser marking devices configured and set for laser marking information on eggs.

[0051] Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for combining laser and ink marking of eggs using any of the methods and devices listed. When laser and ink marking are combined, laser marking can be used to write information on eggs which, for reasons of product safety, preferably contains permanent marking, such as an identification code and / or date of freshness or the like, with only " less critical ”information is marked with ink. However, when using permanent ink, it is also contemplated that inkjet marking may render laser marking superfluous.

[0052] The combination of laser marking and ink marking in the same environment may require precautionary measures unless the inks are water soluble. The combination of laser egg marking with ink printing using permanent inks is complicated. It is not simply a question of replacing water-soluble inks with those that have a different chemical composition, because these other compositions usually contain a volatile component that creates a flammable or explosive atmosphere when the ink is applied and dries. Energy from the laser beam can ignite volatile vapors. Ways to reduce the risk of ignition of volatile vapors have been presented. For example, in some embodiments, the laser station (s) may be shielded by a housing in which a positive pressure of clean air (or inert gas) is maintained, such that the level of volatile vapor is kept below that which is flammable. Either the laser position (s) and the print position (s) can be separated by several meters (e.g. 4.5 - 6.0 m) and the evacuation system can discharge volatile vapors sufficiently to reduce the level of volatile fumes to which the laser beams are exposed to one that is well below the explosive mixture. Alternatively, the inert gas can be pumped to the laser station so as to keep the oxygen level low and prevent the formation of an explosive mixture.

[0053] After achieving the methods and systems for marking eggs, when they are "in a carton" and are presented in the same orientation, it turned out that also other objects can be processed using similar methods and devices. Accordingly, a method of processing a package of items has also been described, comprising the step of, after placing the items in the package, mechanically adjusting one or more items so that each item adopts a specific orientation in the package. Alternatively, one or more items may then receive labeled information on their surface. Such marking may or may not include laser marking information on the surface of one or more objects.

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[0054] The orienting step may be performed using an object orienter located above the package and comprising a plurality of elastic elements configured and arranged to move them relative to the objects in the package so as to push them to predetermined orientations. Orienting the items may further include adjusting the position of the one or more items in the package, such that the long axis of each item in the package is inclined towards the rear of the package so that it is at least slightly offset from the vertical line.

[0055] Also described is an apparatus for processing objects on a conveyor, comprising an object orienter configured and positioned relative to the conveyor so as to adjust the position of one or more objects in each package, such that each object in a given package assumes a specific orientation in the package. The object orientator can also be configured and set to adjust the position of one or more objects in each package, such that the long axis of each object in the package is inclined towards the back of the package so that it is at least slightly offset from the vertical line.

[0056] In some embodiments, the orienter may include a plurality of spring elements configured and positioned to move them relative to the objects in each package so as to push them to predetermined orientations.

[0057] In some embodiments, the items are eggs and each package has a bottom for receiving eggs and a hinged lid, and the device further includes a package inverting mechanism in front of the orientator, which receives packages with lids open and oriented in the earlier direction, and then reverses the direction packaging, such that the open lid is positioned toward the orienter and guides the packaging; and after the orienter, one or more printing stations for printing information on eggs. The printing stands may contain a laser and / or ink jet marking device. If both laser and inkjet printing are used, care should be taken to ensure security and compliance. The conveyor is preferably tilted upward relative to the movement of the packages relative to the orienter and one or more printing stations, so that gravity helps keep the eggs tilted in the package when they are positioned by the orienter when the conveyor moves the packages along.

Short description of the figures [0058]

Fig. 1 is a side view of an illustrative example of a laser marking system representing various inventive features configured to operate with a conventional egg packaging apparatus;

Figs. 2-4 are partially cut away perspective views of the various components of the system shown in Fig. 1;

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EP 2 525 979 B1

Figs. 5A and 5B are partial block diagrams of top and side views, respectively, of parts of a conveyor belt used in the system shown in Figs. 1-4 and of various elements that can operate in conjunction with it;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of an egg orientator that can be used in a system such as that shown in Fig. 5;

Figures 7A and 7B respectively show a side and front view of an egg package containing eggs, which may thus look after processing by an egg orientator such as that shown in Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a front view of an egg that can look like this after being marked with one or more of the techniques disclosed herein;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a computer network that can be used to enable centralized control of laser marking devices located at various locations;

Figs. 10A and 10B are perspective views of two sides of the drive mechanism that can be used to move the egg orientator of Figs. 6 in a desired manner;

Figures 11A and 11B are block diagrams of the side and top of the alternative egg marking system respectively showing both laser and ink marking in an embodiment that can be added to most traditional egg grading and packaging systems; and

Fig. 12 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view showing part of the system of Figs. 11A and 11B used to reverse the direction of the egg packaging.

Detailed description [0059] Laser marking of eggs on the fly on-the-fly] at high speeds, e.g. when eggs move through the classification stand at a speed of typically around 100 to 300 fpm (0.500 to 1.500 [m / s]) is problematic for several reasons. For example, it can cause unsatisfactory results in some circumstances in terms of quality and reliability of marking. "Reliability", in this context, refers to the percentage of eggs processed by the system that have clear, legible and consistent markings (in terms of both objective and subjective evaluation). It was considered, for example, that the way the eggs were marked with markings suitable for For repackaging purposes, it was economically viable and economically viable, it is important that a large percentage of treated eggs have clear, legible and consistent labeling.

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EP 2 525 979 B1

One reason for the above is that in many circumstances eggs that have been badly labeled with such markings must be thrown away, for one reason or another.

[0060] It is further noted, for example, that the limited time window, the limited access space and the laser marking of the egg by means of techniques "on the fly" on-the-fly] usually allows laser marking only a limited amount of information on the egg in a direction extending along the long axis of the egg. The inherent lack of accuracy when observing a high-speed target and the orientation, unavoidable vibrations and other movements in such a moving mechanical system can further deteriorate the quality of the resulting image and make it insufficient for specific purposes.

[0061] In addition, experience has shown that attempts to laser mark eggs during the sorting process can be problematic in some applications, because the traditional process involves washing eggs just before attempting to mark lasers on them. The resulting lack of uniform dryness of egg surface can lead to inaccurate or even irregular determinations. Laser marking of small font codes and complex information, e.g. complicated company logos during the sorting process can be particularly problematic for the above reasons.

[0062] In addition, the dust generated during the laser marking process can cause problems of both the proximal (e.g. at the laser marking station) and distal components. Although it is possible to vacuum the excess dust, it has proved difficult to do it effectively in practice.

[0063] Furthermore, when the eggs are marked in a specific place, e.g. on their sides, before they reach the packaging machine, there is a risk that the packaging machine will place the eggs in the packaging in an orientation that prevents or obstructs visibility. In this regard, eggs marked by the elements above the packaging machine are often packed in such a way that the marked markings on the eggs will be covered unless and until the eggs are re-arranged so that they are correctly oriented for clear marking visibility.

[0064] Furthermore, when the eggs are marked before they reach the packing machine, the possibility of diverting the eggs to the required position after marking them is limited. This means that if the egg is marked in a certain way, it can be directed only to the packing machine, which treats the eggs according to the markings that were placed on it. For example, when an egg is marked with the producer's logo, the egg cannot then be sent to the packing machine responsible for packing the eggs for another producer.

[0065] It has further been found that if one wants to use the same device that can be equipped with or added to existing egg processing systems of different designs, one part that such systems have in common is the egg packing conveyor, where the eggs are delivered for packing in cartons or in the cartons themselves.

[0066] Importantly, it has been noted that the combination of the laser marking process with an egg packaging device and not with an earlier element, such as a sorting station, involves a different set of restrictions and can bring significant benefits. In particular, it has been established that laser marking of eggs in a packaging machine, after they have been packaged in the packaging, can

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It reduces at least some, and perhaps all, various disadvantages of the laser marking process based on the sorter discussed above, and provides a method that is adaptable to all or most of the existing egg production systems. In fact, it has been observed that the embodiment of the system described herein can lead to a significant improvement in the quality and reliability of laser marking relative to the sorter based system. In addition, it allows laser marking on a larger egg surface without slowing down egg processing. In some embodiments, it also facilitates the combination of laser marking with ink marking, which allows (if desired) multicolor printing. [0067] In some embodiments, a continuous conveyor that carries filled egg packs may slow down or stop periodically as each new row of each new egg pack is loaded. Preferably, the eggs in the loaded package may be laser marked during one or more of these periods (after the loading period) during which the package is held still while the rows of eggs are loaded in the next upper package. One or more sensors (e.g. photoelectric sensors) and / or conveyor movement monitors (e.g. monitor that counts the conveyor cycle) to accurately determine when the loaded egg pack has moved to the laser marking position. In the case where the ink printing is combined with the laser printing, they can be carried out when the eggs are in the same place or each can be done when the eggs are in different positions. For example, one row of eggs can be laser marked, while another row is ink-marked. Thus, the accuracy of both laser and inkjet marking can be significantly increased simply because the eggs remain immobilized during the printing operation. In other embodiments, the conveyor can move the wrapped egg packages at a rather constant rate (subject to "start" and "stop" movement) in front of the laser beam guiding mirrors (also known as "galvanic systems"). In such embodiments, a combination of sensors and conveyor movement monitors can be used to accurately observe the position of the respective eggs during the printing process.

[0068] In some embodiments, multiple galvo systems may be used for laser marking eggs in each package that passes through the laser marking station. In addition, egg packs move forward on the packing machine conveyor at a low rate at which individual eggs move through the previous sorter. In this way, using the implementations described herein, a much longer time window may be achievable for each galvo system for laser marking of each individual dry egg, for inkjet devices for inkjet egg printing. (Note that prior ink printing of eggs is usually limited to stamping, not ink printing. Thus, the ink-printed material is not very complicated and tends to be monochrome.) This additional free marking time can allow galva systems to make multiple passes through each egg and thus significantly increase the quality of laser marking (e.g. contrast), while also allowing for significantly improved inkjet marking.

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[0069] Another potential benefit of laser marking eggs in packages is that the eggs can be manipulated to be oriented in the packages in a specific (uniform) manner prior to the printing process. For example, in some embodiments, the eggs in packages on the packing machine conveyor can be manipulated such that all eggs are evenly centered and slightly inclined backwards. In this way, a relatively large surface area of ​​the egg will be immediately visible to the consumer (or controller, seller or other person) who opens the package. Due to this orientation of the eggs in the packaging prior to the printing process, the amount of "visible" surface area made available to the laser (and the ink head, if used) for marking can be increased. In addition, information that is actually labeled on eggs (expiration date, identification codes, advertising, etc.) will be easily communicated to the consumer (or controller, seller or other person who can then open the packaging) immediately after opening the packaging. For example, the consumer opening the egg carton can immediately notice the neatly aligned, equally oriented rows of eggs, each containing information such as the company logo and / or expiration date shown in a prominent position and directly facing the customer.

[0070] In addition to the above, the laser-labeled eggs, after being placed in the package, may furthermore be advantageous due to the limited number of elements at the bottom of the laser marking station and the reduced likelihood that the dust formed during the laser marking process will interfere with the operation of any element mechanical or optical. In some embodiments, for example, one action performed by the packaging machine after the laser marking process described herein is closing the package. Any dust generated during the laser marking process that escapes during the vacuuming process described below (if used) will not have a significant adverse effect on the operation of the packaging closing station.

[0071] Furthermore, printing on the eggs after they have been placed in the packages minimizes the risk that the labeled part of the eggs will be invisible to the consumer opening the package. This means that when the egg is printed before it is put into the packaging, there is a good chance that the egg will be placed by the packaging machine in the packaging in such a way that the image marked on the egg will be obscured or not visible at all, unless the egg is turned over, completely inverted or otherwise redirected. Marking eggs after placing them in packs can minimize the risk that the egg will be oriented when the consumer (or anyone else) opens the pack.

[0072] Furthermore, marking the eggs upon reaching a specific packing machine ensures that only the eggs treated by the packing machine will be marked with the specified information. Accordingly, marking the eggs after placing them in the packaging allows unmarked eggs to be directed to one of many packing machines or, if necessary, to be directed to another packing machine at any time, without fear that the packing machine will receive an egg with inappropriate or unintentional markings .

[0073] An example of a laser marking device implementing the various inventive features described herein is shown in Figs. 1-4. In the example shown,

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The laser marking device 100 is configured to be installed on an existing egg packaging machine 200, for example of the type manufactured by Diamond Automations, Inc. It should be noted, however, that one or more or even all of the components of the laser marking device 100 may additionally or alternatively be integrated into an egg packaging device such as shown herein at the time of its manufacture. In addition, it should be noted that the presented egg packaging device is only one example of such a device.

[0074] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the egg packaging apparatus 200 may include a set of two identical egg packing machines 200a, 200b, each comprising a conveyor 202a, 202b (e.g., a conveyor belt, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, etc. .). Each conveyor 202a, 202b moves the empty packages 204 through the respective egg loading station 206a, 206b, where the eggs are loaded from above, and then moves the filled packages to the respective packaging closing station 208a, 208b, which is responsible for closing the lid of the packages 204 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the eggs can be delivered to the egg packers 200a, 200b by means of a sorter 300. Although only the cross-section of the sorter 300 is shown, it should be noted that the sorter 300 will usually be a fairly large part of the machine, usually about 15 or 18 meters long in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor conveyors.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, the laser marking device 100 comprises a pair of identical laser marking systems, one to operate each of the two parts 200a, 200b of the egg packing machine 200. The frame 101 in the example shown can, for example, be used to support both parts of the device for laser marking 100. Alternatively, separate frames can be used. Because the configuration and operation of the two laser marking systems are essentially the same, only one of the two systems will be described. It should be understood, however, that the following description applies simultaneously to both parts of the laser marking device 100. It should also be noted that the presence of two laser marking systems side by side is not a requirement of the invention, and that in different embodiments, fewer or more of such systems can be used .

[0076] In the embodiment shown, the main housing 102 of one of the laser marking systems (shown in Fig. 1) comprises a group of three laser sources 104a,

104b, 104c. For example, each laser source 104 may contain a 70-100 W carbon dioxide (CO2) laser or other 10640 nm wavelength laser operating at 70-90% of rated power and delivering power density to the egg shell (at appropriate size) spots) to₂ height around 2000 W / 6.45 cm. As shown, "two-on-one" beam splitters 106a, 106b, 106c may be used to separate laser energy from laser sources 104 into multiple beams, and mirrors may be used to direct the resulting six laser beams through the lower housing channel 108 ( shown in Fig. 1) to a set of six two-dimensional mirrors directing the laser beam (galwo systems) 110. In other embodiments, instead of using beam splitters, a separate laser source may be used for each galvo 110 system. For example, each galwo 110 system may be responsible for laser marking two eggs in a package of twelve or three eggs in a package of eighteen or more eggs in a larger package

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In a package or one egg. The spot size of the laser beams incident on the eggs may for example be in the order of 4 millimeters (mm). The spot size can be generated, for example, starting with a coherent spot of 2-2.5 mm at the laser output and can be enlarged to about 3.75 mm with the help of a collimation lens assembly followed by a 10-inch focusing lens. Any other system can be used (e.g. other laser output, collimator and focusing lens to ensure a small enough spot size with the indicated power density and the appropriate sweep speed, thus ensuring the same energy density). By adjusting to sweep speed and spot size, a higher or lower laser output power can be used, while the energy density is kept within a range that causes adequate digestion of the egg shell to a depth of up to about 25 microns. Thus, the systems and methods of the invention are not limited to a particular combination of parameters, but to a combination that gives good results in terms of legible egg markings.

[0077] The electronic control boards 111 located within the lower housing 108 may include a conventional electric circuit assembly (analog, digital, etc.) for controlling the operation of laser sources 104 and galwo systems 110. One or more sensors (not shown in Fig. 1-4) can also detect the position of the egg packaging on the conveyor relative to the galvo systems 110 and allow control boards 111 to determine when a given egg-filled packaging is in the laser marking position. In other embodiments, one or more control boards 111 may additionally or alternatively be located elsewhere in the system for easier access, to allow better ventilation, etc.

[0078] Figs. 5A and 5B are block diagrams illustrating, respectively, top and side views of a conveyor part and related elements that can be placed between the egg loading station 206 and the packaging closing station 208 of one of the two parts of the egg packaging apparatus 200 shown in Figs 1-4. The device shown in Figs. 5A and 5B is not covered by independent patent claim No. 13. In the example shown, the conveyor is controlled to move packages 204 in turn to each of the five main stations AE. In addition, at each such main station, the conveyor causes the packet 204 to move sequentially through a number of sub-locations equal to the number of rows of eggs 205 (reference 205 refers to the eggs themselves) in the loaded packets 204. This is because the egg loading station 206 typically loads one row of six eggs 205 at one time, which requires the conveyor 202 to move the packages slightly forward before loading each new row of eggs. A typical egg packing machine will process approximately 35 boxes of eggs per hour, with each box containing 30 dozen eggs. At such a rate, the packages can, for example, spend about 5 seconds at each of the major locations AE before moving them through conveyor 202 to the next such major location. In this way, the packaging can, for example, spend about 12 seconds at each sub-location within each of the AE sites.

[0079] In the example shown, the conveyor 202 first moves the package 204 to the main place A within the egg loading station 206 of the egg packaging device 200. As shown, when the package 204 stops at this station, the number of eggs 205 corresponding to the amount

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The nests in package 204 (e.g., twelve, eighteen or more) are placed in package 204. As mentioned above, the eggs can be loaded into one row (e.g. six eggs) simultaneously and the conveyor 202 moves the package slightly forward 204 to allow loading of next rows.

[0080] Next, the conveyor moves the package 204 to place B, where the egg orientation operation is performed to the desired position for laser marking and to indicate to the consumer who ultimately opens the package 204 or perhaps the controller or employee of the seller or distributor who then checks the eggs for control and / or repacking. As shown, eggs 205 can be oriented in the package in a rather random manner when they reach location B. However, when they reach location B, the egg orientator 112 can be controlled to change the orientation of the eggs to the desired position. The egg orientator 112 may be any of a number of devices capable of changing the orientation of the eggs in the package, and the present invention is not limited to any particular device or structure to perform such a function. One example of an egg orienter 112 capable of performing such a function is shown in Fig. 6. It should be noted that the egg orienter 112 can be located at any of a number of locations along the conveyor 202 and does not need to be in the specific position shown. In some embodiments, devices at locations B and C in Figs. 5A and B can be combined to handle egg cartons placed in the same place. In addition, in some embodiments, the egg orientator 112 may be to the right of the galvanizing systems 110 shown in Figs. 5A and 5B instead of to the left of them.

[0081] As shown by arrows 113 adjacent to the egg orienter in Figs. 5A and 5B, the egg orienter 112 may first be displaced (e.g., by a pneumatic piston or other suitable actuator or engine - not shown in Fig. 5A and 5B) down beyond the egg pack 204, and then can be stretched forward (in the direction of normal belt movement) through the rows of eggs 205 (usually two or three rows of six eggs each). [0082] As shown by arrows 115 in Fig. 5A, as it moves forward, the egg orienter 112 may also "wobble" (e.g., using a rotary pneumatic cylinder or other suitable cylinder or motor - not shown in Figs. 5A and B ) in a side-to-side manner to help control friction between the eggs 205 and the packaging nests 204; or another mechanism may be used for this purpose. Alternatively, other ways of reducing-functions can be replaced. Finally, the egg orientator 112 can be raised and then moved back to its starting position until the next row of eggs is moved to the B processing spot. In some embodiments, the egg orienter 112 may be stretched throughout the entire egg package in one pass. Alternatively, it can be stretched by one row of eggs 205 simultaneously each time the package 204 is moved to a new sub-location within place B.

As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, one or more sensors (e.g., photoelectric sensors 214a-b) may be used, either alone or in combination with a monitor.

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Belt timing or the like to observe the exact position of the egg pack 204 relative to the egg orienter 112.

[0084] An example of a drive mechanism 122 that can be used to move the egg orienter 112 in a desired manner (e.g., as indicated by arrows 113, 115 in Figs. 5A and B) is shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. For example, the drive mechanism 122 may separate the conveyor 202 in place B (see Figs. 5A-B) so that the egg packs slide below the egg orienter 112 in the direction of the arrow 124 in Figs. 10A-B. As shown, the drive mechanism 122 may include a frame 126 that supports several double-acting pneumatic cylinders 128, 130a, 130b and a rotary pneumatic cylinder 136. In the example shown, pneumatic cylinder 128 and connected pistons 142 are responsible for moving the egg orienter 112 up and down down (i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor 202) as indicated by arrow 132 in Fig. 10A. In a similar manner, in the embodiment shown, a pair of pneumatic cylinders 130a and 130b and connected pistons 144 are responsible for moving the egg orienter 112 back and forth over the egg packaging 204 (i.e. parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor (see arrow 124)) as indicated by arrow 134 in Fig. 10B. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the rotary pneumatic cylinder 136 is responsible for causing a slight "wobble" of the egg orientator 112 from side to side when the egg orientator 112 is swept over the pack of 204 eggs 205, as indicated by arrow 138 in Fig. 10A .

[0085] As shown in Fig. 10B, the pneumatic components of the drive mechanism 122 may be connected to a compressor unit 140 (or other compressed air source) that can be controlled to regulate the air flow to such components and thus appropriately control their operation . Of course, in other types of actuators or engines (e.g. other types of control units may be used to regulate the movement of the egg orienter 112 in the desired manner in cylinders or electric or hydraulic motors).

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6, the egg orientator may include a frame 114 made of suitably light, solid material (e.g. aluminum) and a brush element 116 for sweeping through the upper parts of the eggs 205 in the package 204 to change their orientation to the desired position. For example, brush element 116 may include a set of flexible but durable fingers made of suitable plastic suitable for contact with food, rubber or other material. In the example shown, the brush element 116 is attached to the frame 114 by means of an aluminum shell-like stitch 118 to give the brush element 116 a shell-like shape. By shaping the brush element 116 in such a way that the shell-shaped corners properly position the eggs 205 in the desired "left to right" position within package 204.

[0087] In the embodiment shown, the egg orienter 112 further includes a set of tubes 120 spaced between the corners of the shell-like aluminum element 118 and the frame 114. As shown, the tubes 120 can be positioned such that their pair separates each egg 205 when the egg orientator 112 is sweeped through the upper parts of eggs 205 in package 204.

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EP 2 525 979 B1

Advantageously, a high speed air source may be connected to the tubes 120, such that air can be blown into and around the eggs 205 when the egg orienter 112 is swept over the eggs 205 to move them. Blowing air above and around the eggs in this way can help dry the surface of the eggs 205 evenly before laser marking and can also help overcome the friction between the lower parts of the eggs 205 and the nests of the packaging by creating a slight air cushion between them.

[0088] In the embodiment shown, after redeploying the eggs 205 within the package 204 through the egg orienter 112, the conveyor 202 moves the package 204 to a location C where laser marking can be performed. Figures 7A and 7B show how the packaging 204 reaches place C (as well as when the eggs finally reach the store, final consumer or other place after packaging). Fig. 7A is a side view and Fig. 7B is a front view of package 204 in which the eggs have been oriented in this manner.

[0089] As shown, as a result of processing by the egg orientator 112, the eggs 205 can be evenly arranged in the package 204, with each egg 205 slightly inclined towards the rear portion 228 of the package 204 (see Fig. 7A), so that a large portion 230 its surface area is exposed to the galvanic systems 110 responsible for marking on it. In some embodiments, for example, the egg orienter 112 may manipulate the eggs 205, such that the long axis 232 of each egg is at least slightly inclined towards the rear portion 228. For example, in certain embodiments, the egg orienter 112 may manipulate the eggs such that the long axis of each egg is offset from the vertical line (wherein the "vertical line" is defined as a line 233 perpendicular to the plane coinciding with the bottom portion 236 of the package (which, in Figs. 7A and 7B, it is parallel to the surface of the conveyor 202)) at an angle Θ which is a minimum of 3 degrees. In other embodiments, each of the eggs 205 in each carton 204 may be offset from the vertical line at a minimum angle Θ, typically from 1 to about 22 degrees or more. In some embodiments, the egg orienter 112 may manipulate the eggs 205 such that the angle Θ for each egg is about 10 degrees or another suitable angle that increases the area of ​​the writing surface available for the laser marking device.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 7B, the egg orienter 112 may further orient the eggs 205 such that the long axes 232 of all eggs in each row of six eggs form approximately right angles to the lines crossing the lower parts of the nests holding the eggs in such a row. In some implementations, the long axes 232 of all eggs in a given package may be oriented such that each such long axis 232 is no more than about 20 degrees (or in some embodiments, not more than about 25 degrees or not more than about 24 degrees or not more than about 23 degrees or not more than about 22 degrees or not more than about 21 degrees or not more than about 19 degrees or no more more than about 18 degrees or not more than about 17 degrees or not more than about 16 degrees or not more than about 15 degrees or not more than about 14 degrees or not more than about 13 degrees or not more than about about 12 degrees or no more than about 11 degrees or no more than about 12 degrees or no more than about 11 degrees or no more than about 10 degrees or no more than about 9 degrees or no more than about 8 degrees or no more than about 7 degrees or no more than about 6 degrees or no more than about 5 degrees or no more than about 4

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Degrees or no more than about 3 degrees or no more than about 2 degrees or no more than about 1 degree shifted from any other such long axis.

[0091] When the eggs 205 are oriented in this way in the package 204, the surface of the egg 205 which is immediately visible to the person opening the package is neither the end nor the center of the egg 205, but rather the part of the egg somewhere between these two places. Fig. 8 shows an example of an egg 205 with laser marking. As shown, point 234 in the middle of the marking (also shown in Figs. 7A and 7B) can be placed between end 210 and center 212 (i.e. the area between the two ends of the egg) of the egg 205. In some embodiments, the information labeled on the egg may extend from the end of the egg 210 (or outside) to the center of the egg 212 (or outside). As shown in Fig. 8, the information can be marked on the egg so that it extends horizontally relative to the long axis of the egg. In some embodiments, the information may additionally or alternatively be marked such that it extends vertically substantially towards the long axis of the egg. In some embodiments, the laser-labeled information on each egg may contain one or more of an identification code (identifying only a specific egg or a relatively small group of eggs - e.g. carton), company logo and / or other advertising, expiration date, sorting information, and packing code (e.g. status code, county code, packing code and / or Julian date). Eggs in a carton can be marked with as little or as much information as possible, as desired. Thus, the message can in fact be segmented by many eggs.

[0092] In some embodiments, the eggs may be oriented in each package, and the information labeled on the eggs in such a way that the information labeled on all the eggs in each package will be visible immediately after opening the package, without the human having to manipulate any of the eggs in to see this information.

[0093] It is known that a significant percentage of the eggs produced carry Salmonella virus. For these and other reasons, there are various rules governing when and how eggs can be manipulated. Allowing you to control laser-marked information on all eggs in a given package without having to manipulate any of the eggs in the package can therefore provide significant benefits.

[0094] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-6, during each time interval of about 1-2 seconds in which the packaging is located in a sub-location within the main location C, each of the six galvo 110 systems can be controlled for marking on the appropriate one of six eggs in a given row. Accordingly, in some implementations, each galvo 110 system may have about 1-2 seconds to complete marking on each 205 egg for which it is responsible. As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, one or more sensors (e.g., photoelectric sensors 216a-b) may be used, either alone or together with a belt tact monitor or the like, to accurately determine the position of the egg pack 204 relative to the galvan 110 systems.

[0095] In some embodiments, the vector based process may be used to laser mark 205 eggs. However, in other embodiments, the following may be used.

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Additionally or alternatively, a dot matrix, raster graphics or other laser marking process.

[0096] In some embodiments, each egg 205 may be tagged in multiple passes (e.g., two, three or four times) during an available tagging interval of about 1-2 seconds. It has been found that the quality of marking on egg shells can be significantly improved by using a relatively low power (density) laser beam and marking in many passes. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using a combination of laser power and output beam width, optics and one or more beam splitters to separate power from one or more laser sources so as to obtain laser beams having the desired power density level and size spots. It is believed that what allows achieving good quality marking is discoloration of the outer layer of the egg rather than deep etching of the egg shell (which is usually in the order of 300 microns deep). Indeed, when exposed to a laser beam with too much power or for too long, the outer protein layer of the egg shell can be completely etched, thus compromising the quality of the marking. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the power, beam sweep speed, and / or the number of passes can be adjusted to achieve good discoloration without etching the surface of the eggs too deeply. In some embodiments, a laser power of less than about 80 W is used with the indicated optics and spot size (or, in some embodiments, less than about 75 W or less than about 65 W or less than about 60 W or less than about 55 W or less than about 50 W or less than about 45 W or less than about 40 W or below). In some embodiments, for example, such variables are controlled such that the resulting egg digestion has a depth of no more than 25 microns.

[0097] It is possible to achieve better labeling quality by changing the power, spot size and / or beam sweep speed that is used during each of the individual multiple passages to ensure that at least one such pass is performed at power and / or speed that will ensure that good discoloration is achieved. In some embodiments, the laser beam may be modulated during the laser marking process to improve the quality of the marking. For example, the power can be reduced or the speed can be increased at points where one line crosses another (e.g. by drawing the letter "X") so as to avoid excessive energy being supplied at the intersection.

[0098] In some embodiments, the image to be tagged on eggs may be digitally processed (e.g., pre-distorted) prior to laser treatment of the eggs 205, to take into account the actual or expected curvature of said eggs. Performing this step may result in an image that will not be distorted despite being marked on a non-flat surface.

[0099] In some implementations, one or more laser sources and / or galvanic systems may be arranged and configured for marking on one or more different parts of the egg, e.g., at the back, in addition to the front part discussed above. In some embodiments, for example, it may be desirable to label specific information of direct relevance to the consumer, e.g., expiration date and / or variety identification, on the front of the egg, such that

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The information was immediately visible to the consumer when the box was opened and to mark other information of less direct significance, e.g. identification codes or the like on the back of the eggs.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 5A and 5B, when the laser marking process is completed for a given package 204, the conveyor 202 can move the package 204 to the location D where the vacuum nozzle 218 connected to the vacuum source (not shown), together with the blower nozzle 220 connected to an air source (not shown), it can be used to remove dust generated by the laser process and any other unwanted contaminants from the egg packaging before closing through the packaging station 208 of the egg packing machine 208. In some embodiments, the vacuum source and / or the air source may be located away from the laser marking device 100 (e.g. on the roof of the building where the device 100 is located) and connected to the nozzles 218, 220 by means of appropriate pipes or a network of wires (not shown).

[0101] In some implementations, the video control system 146, 148 (shown in Fig. 1) can be configured and arranged to check the position and / or properties of the eggs to be tagged and / or the integrity of the information that is tagged on eggs. As shown in Fig. 1, in some embodiments, the video control observation unit 146 may for example be located near beam projectors 148 and one or more galvanic systems. In other embodiments, one or more observation units 146 may be located elsewhere to allow appropriate observation. One or more observation units 146 may be connected to one or more video control computers 148 using any suitable technique. Each of the one or more computers of the video control system 148 may be local to the system 100 or may be in a remote location.

[0102] Said egg processing system may, for example, be stopped if the video control system determines that the marking quality has fallen below a certain threshold value. In some embodiments, such a system may be a closed cycle system so that feedback from the video control system may be used to regulate galvan systems 110 and / or laser sources 104 so as to improve process quality and reliability. For example, feedback from a video control system can regulate the number of transitions made by galwo systems, galvan system scan rate, laser power level, etc., to provide the desired level of contrast achieved during the laser marking process. Additionally or alternatively, the video control system may check the size, color or other perceptible properties of the eggs to be marked, and adjust the components or the laser marking process accordingly, to take account of such variables and thereby ensure that image quality remains constant despite such changes.

[0103] In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to allow centralized control and monitoring of the operation of many different laser marking devices 100 located in one or more locations. Fig. 9 shows an example of a system that could allow such centralized control. As shown,

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The respective groups of laser marking devices 100 can be connected to the respective computers 222 so as to enable said computers to control subsequent laser marking tasks to control panels 111 of different laser marking devices 100, as well as to monitor the status and status of such devices. Laser marking devices 100 can thus behave essentially like network printers for computers 222. Each computer 222 may, for example, be located on a suitable egg processing facility.

[0104] Central server 224 may in turn be connected via network cloud 226 to a group of computers 222 to allow central server 224 to distribute laser marking tasks to different computers 222 and to the status monitor of these tasks. Cloud 226 may contain any of many types of networks and may be distributed in both local and wide area. In some embodiments, network cloud 226 may, for example, include the Internet. When the objects are in different geographical areas, different laser marking tasks can, for example, be distributed to 222 computers in different objects, depending on the area. For example, if Major League Baseball decides to label team logos on eggs, instructions may be sent to facilities that distribute eggs to the New England area to label the Boston Red Sox logo on a given number of eggs at those facilities, while instructions may be sent to facilities that distribute eggs in the state of Florida to mark the Florida Marlins team logo on a specific number of eggs in those facilities.

[0105] In some embodiments, galvo systems 110 can be controlled independently, so that different images can be labeled on different eggs in the same package. For example, galwo 110 systems can be controlled in such a way that the two eggs in the first row of the packaging have the letters "G" and "O" on them and the six eggs in the second row of the packaging have the letters "R," "E , "" D, "" S, "" O "and" X ". In some embodiments, each egg 205 can even be tagged with a unique identifier that allows it to be distinguished from any other egg that is laser marked with the system.

Inkjet printing [0106] Inkjet printing has not yet been satisfactory for marking eggs with markings that were to be permanent and (for practical reasons) unchanged in the distribution chain. Such markings may contain, for example, an identification code and / or expiration date or code of origin - information used to ensure food safety guarantees and / or to track which egg the egg has passed during handling. Although ink compositions that are able to replace laser marking may become available at some time, laser marking is currently the preferred way to apply such marking. The integrity of other labels, such as advertising, is not subject to such stringent requirements. For example, food safety is not compromised if advertising made with water-soluble ink is washed off or smudged. Therefore, such markings that do not have to be permanent can be applied by the use of perishables without severely compromising the characteristics of the egg, including eggs

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EP 2 525 979 B1 containing permanent markings. Thus, advertisements can for example be applied by inkjet printing in addition to any laser applied markings.

[0107] When laser marking and inkjet marking are used together, it is important to remember that laser marking (etching) of the egg reduces the thickness of the shell at the place where the laser beam makes its recording. Thus, it may be desirable to ensure that ink is not applied to thinner places on the egg shell if there is a risk that the ink would easily leak through the shell in these places and contaminate the egg yolk or egg white. However, such precautions may not be necessary, because the natural gaps in the egg shell may have a depth of 90 microns, and the laser treatment described here removes only about 25 microns or less. This result can be achieved either by performing an inkjet print before laser printing or by ensuring that the ink is not applied to areas that have previously been laser printed. In the event that the inkjet printing was made first, if the ink composition is non-volatile, the laser beam may remove the ink from places where laser marking is to be provided; drawing the logical conclusion from this, the ink can be applied to provide a colored background, and then the egg can be marked with an ink-removing laser to allow the egg shell to be distinguished from the surrounding ink. This type of "reverse" printing may reduce some of the limitations of the ink applicator.

[0108] The application of ink markings on eggs during fast commercial egg production was previously carried out using special inkjet printers such as the EJP OnLine Multi-Head Egg Jet Printer from Advanced Industrial Micro Systems from Mumbai, India, while the eggs were moved in bottom of the conveyor in a carton. This printer uses water-soluble inks.

[0109] Referring to Figs. 11A and 11B, they show an example of an egg marking system 300 using the concepts disclosed herein in connection with both the laser marking station 302 and the inkjet marking station 304. The inkjet printing station 304 can be positioned above (i.e. before the laser printing station 302 as in Fig. 11A or below the laser printing station (not shown). It is contemplated that when inkjet printing is used, one or more ink streams per egg for marking will be provided, and that all eggs in a row in a carton will be labeled at the same time. Thus, although only one inkhead is shown in Fig. 11A, typically the group of printheads will be connected to each other for marking the row of eggs. The required reservoir (s) can supply ink to the inkheads via 308 lines.

[0110] The orientator 310 described herein can be used to arrange the eggs in the package before printing, so that the eggs do not change very much between the two printing stations. In this embodiment of the orienter, a series of elastic or sweeping elements 311, depending on the support structure, pushes the eggs to the tilted orientation backwards. In this way, desirable relative print positions for two stations

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EP 2 525 979 B1 can be achieved without the need for complicated registration mechanisms. The combination of laser egg marking and ink printing using permanent inks is complicated from a security point of view. It is not simply a question of replacing water-soluble inks with those that have a different chemical composition, because other compositions usually contain a volatile component that creates a flammable or explosive atmosphere when the ink is applied and dries. The energy from the laser beam can ignite the volatile vapors, which can potentially cause a fire or even an explosion. In addition to using ink compositions that will not emit hazardous volatile vapors, you can reduce the risk of ignition of volatile vapors in many ways. For example, as shown in Fig. 11A, laser station (s) 302 (i.e. the area where the eggs are actually marked by the laser beams) may contain one or more lasers 303a or at least laser beams 303b shielded by a housing 312 in which the positive pressure of clean air (or inert gas) is maintained so that the level of volatile vapor is kept below that which is explosive. Either the laser station (s) and the laser printing station (s) can be separated by several meters (e.g. 4.5 - 6.0 m or more) and the evacuation system (not shown) can discharge volatile vapors sufficiently to reduce the level of volatile vapors to which the laser beams are exposed to one that is well below the explosive mixture. Or, alternatively, inert gas can be pumped to the laser station so as to keep oxygen levels low and prevent the formation of an explosive mixture.

Additional Embodiments [0111] The packaging and imprinting systems described above may be modified in a number of ways. Among them is the arrangement schematically shown in Fig. 11A (omitting as many details as possible) in which gravity can be used to facilitate orientation of eggs as needed and to maintain this orientation later. The sorting and packing system 320 drops the eggs 322 into cartons or egg packages 324 as they are moved on the conveyor 326, with the hinged lid 328 of the cartons positioned towards the rear (in this figure left) end of the conveyor 326. When each carton reaches the end conveyor 326, the conveyor puts the carton on a rotary tray 330. Tray 330 is then rotated 180 degrees, moving carton 324 from position A to position B, in which the hinged lid is now positioned towards the front end of conveyor 326. The carton is then transferred to upward inclined conveyor 334. Various mechanisms can be used to transfer carton from rotary tray to rear conveyor 334. For example, a portion of the tray may include a small conveyor mechanism 336, as schematically indicated in the simplified cross-section of the tray mechanism in Fig. 12. Alternatively, an additional mechanism may be used to perform the transfer, such as the rotatable pusher blade 338 and a suitable drive device (e.g. hydraulic cylinder or coil) or any other desired mechanism. In a similar way, a mechanism other than a rotating tray can be used to reverse the directions of the packaging, and if the sorter / packaging machine delivering eggs in cartons passes

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For packages with open lids and above the bottom of the package containing eggs, a reversing mechanism is not necessary.

[0112] The orientator station 310 may then act on the eggs in the carton to achieve the described orientation. From the orienter, conveyor 334 transfers the egg carton to the inkjet printing station 304, if used, and then to the laser station 302. (Or first to the laser station and then to the inkjet station). Both sequences have pros and cons. In addition, each of the printing stands can be considered optional, since the printing can be limited only to laser printing or only to ink printing, in some embodiments). At the output of the laser station, the closing mechanism 344 rotates the lid 328 to close the carton. Conveyor 334 can unload closed cartons of eggs onto a flat surface that is stationary, or onto another conveyor from which cartons can be removed and packed into boxes or crates.

[0113] The laser station may include a housing 312 in which the non-volatile environment is maintained by means of a suitable device, not shown. The laser devices may be contained in housing 312 or may be outside the housing, with laser beams routed to housing 312 via a closed path that has closed access for ink.

[0114] When the eggs are tilted backward in the cartons by the orienter, the inclination of the conveyor 334 upwards provides additional pushing force for the eggs to remain backward tilted even when the conveyor pushes the packages. This approach is particularly helpful for small eggs and when stopping and starting the conveyor gives sufficient force to overcome the friction between the egg and the carton. On a horizontal surface, such an egg could fall forward in a carton, out of aligned orientation.

[0115] The kind of embodiment shown in Figs. 11A, 11B can be used for most existing egg sorting systems because it is only added to the sorting output. This is basically a universal approach.

[0116] Operation related to egg orientation is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but can also be performed by an alternative device. It can also be seen that it may be desirable to divide the action into two stages: (1) orientate, loosen and tilt the eggs, and (2) straighten the eggs from side to side. One device can perform both operations or a separate device can be used for each.

[0117] If the eggs are small, which is frequent, and the conveyor is horizontal or only slightly inclined, then when the carton is moved from one place to another (which can be the next stand or just the position of printing the next row or the next carton), they can be pushed or even fall forward when the conveyor chain suddenly stops. Optionally, therefore, two semi-flexible rods may be included as part of the orientator, which may be lowered on either side of the egg and rotated so that they will straighten the eggs from side to side and also begin to push the eggs backwards when the rods are moved to

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EP 2 525 979 B1 back over the carton. Such rods may have a small enough diameter that they do not interfere with the printing process and be flexible enough not to damage the egg.

[0118] In another type of embodiment, the suspended elastic orientator element may include a plurality of suspended brushes or heavy, flat strips - hanging from the frames - that pull them relative to the eggs at a rate similar to that used in the above described embodiment to push the eggs to the desired parallel inclined position.

[0119] The orienter mechanism and process have been set forth for eggs, but it should be noted, although not covered by the claims, that it may be desirable to carry out similar operation on other objects, whether or not they are printed on. For example, it may be desirable to orient other food products similar to packaging and / or labeling. Such food products may include products such as apples and pears or peppers or any of many other fruits or vegetables. They can also include manufactured food, such as chocolates and candies, which the manufacturer wants to evenly pack, or non-food products, such as Christmas decorations.

[0120] Thus, after describing specific embodiments of systems and methods for carrying out aspects of the present invention, it should be noted that various changes, modifications, and improvements are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in embodiments where the open egg packs are led in the opposite direction to the conveyor 202 shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, i.e. so that part of the nest guides part of the lid, a loop motion of the egg orientator 112 may not be necessary, since proper orientation of the eggs in the package 204 can be easily achieved by allowing open egg packages to pass below the egg orienter 112 (causing or not causing it) slight "wobbling" from side to side to help overcome friction). In such embodiments, since the tops of the eggs 205 will be slightly tilted to the right (as shown in Fig. 5B), it would also be desirable to orient the galvanic systems 110 so that they will be slightly directed towards the rear of the conveyor 202, allowing thus marking on a large exposed area of ​​230 eggs 205 obtained using this alternative technique. Therefore, the above description and figures are for illustrative purposes only.

VP / 3403 / AG

EP 2 525 979 B1