Eggs processing unit (options) and method of the eggs holding during their processing sequence (options)

TECHNICAL INDUSTRY

The present invention relates generally to egg processing plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to an egg holding unit capable of retaining eggs contained on an egg platform or conveyor during processing and to an appropriate installation and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The factory for the cultivation of poultry for the processing of bird eggs uses different mechanical plants for processing eggs. Such mechanical egg processing systems may comprise, for example, an egg injection unit for administering an egg substance to the egg, an egg transfer unit, and an apparatus for removing selected eggs. Such plants contain a variety of separate processing devices (for example, an injection tool, a tool for removing or transferring eggs), traditionally designed to work together with commercial egg transport devices (so-called "platforms"). The egg platforms used with such plants typically comprise an array of pockets that are designed to hold the corresponding set of eggs mainly in a straight or vertical orientation. Each pocket can contain a number of legs that are designed to hold the corresponding egg. Although they are effective in retaining eggs during transport, these load-bearing legs can damage the eggs during processing by separate processing devices. The forces applied to the egg, in particular during the injection sequence, can push the egg down to the bearing tabs with sufficient force to cause the eggs to crack. As such, egg processing plants may use an egg holding unit capable of providing egg support in the egg conveyor during the treatment sequence as those described in US Pat. No. 6,981,470 to Gross et al. Or International Publication No. WO 2013/152970 (Van de Zande). Although they are effective in retaining eggs during transport, these load-bearing legs can damage the eggs during processing by separate processing devices. The forces applied to the egg, in particular during the injection sequence, can push the egg down to the bearing tabs with sufficient force to cause the eggs to crack. As such, egg processing plants may use an egg holding unit capable of providing egg support in the egg conveyor during the treatment sequence as those described in US Pat. No. 6,981,470 to Gross et al. Or International Publication No. WO 2013/152970 (Van de Zande). Although they are effective in retaining eggs during transport, these load-bearing legs can damage the eggs during processing by separate processing devices. The forces applied to the egg, in particular during the injection sequence, can push the egg down to the bearing tabs with sufficient force to cause the eggs to crack. As such, egg processing plants may use an egg holding unit capable of providing egg support in the egg conveyor during the treatment sequence as those described in US Pat. No. 6,981,470 to Gross et al. Or International Publication No. WO 2013/152970 (Van de Zande). can push the egg down to the bearing legs with sufficient force to cause the eggs to crack. As such, egg processing plants may use an egg holding unit capable of providing egg support in the egg conveyor during the treatment sequence as those described in US Pat. No. 6,981,470 to Gross et al. Or International Publication No. WO 2013/152970 (Van de Zande). can push the egg down to the bearing legs with sufficient force to cause the eggs to crack. As such, egg processing plants may use an egg holding unit capable of providing egg support in the egg conveyor during the treatment sequence as those described in US Pat. No. 6,981,470 to Gross et al. Or International Publication No. WO 2013/152970 (Van de Zande).

However, egg platforms and their respective individual pockets are made in many different shapes, with different sizes and geometric shapes, depending on the manufacturer. Accordingly, the egg holding units should be designed so that their individual parts (inserts or stands) (i.e., the parts in contact with the egg) can be mounted and raised / lowered in separate pockets for contacting and holding eggs. In this respect, the egg retention inserts should be made to match the special shape of the egg platform. At the moment, Zoetis LLC (the assignee of this application) provides more than twenty types of traditional inserts for holding eggs, which are necessary for matching with different forms of egg platforms used by their consumers. Such manufacturing of egg retention units increases the cash costs of production, since the machining of parts to hold eggs is cheaper than the molding process due to the need for small volume, which makes molding processes a costly and unrealistic production option. Such modified solutions may also provide inserts for retaining eggs that are difficult and long-lasting to clean. In addition, today's egg-holding units have drive mechanisms that can consume excessive amounts of energy, provide inefficiencies and additional cash costs when used to raise the egg-holding unit to come into contact with eggs on the egg platform. because the machining of parts to hold eggs is cheaper than the process of molding due to the need for small volume, which makes molding processes a expensive and unrealistic production option. Such modified solutions may also provide inserts for retaining eggs that are difficult and long-lasting to clean. In addition, today's egg-holding units have drive mechanisms that can consume excessive amounts of energy, provide inefficiencies and additional cash costs when used to raise the egg-holding unit to come into contact with eggs on the egg platform. because the machining of parts to hold eggs is cheaper than the process of molding due to the need for small volume, which makes molding processes a expensive and unrealistic production option. Such modified solutions may also provide inserts for retaining eggs that are difficult and long-lasting to clean. In addition, today's egg-holding units have drive mechanisms that can consume excessive amounts of energy, provide inefficiencies and additional cash costs when used to raise the egg-holding unit to come into contact with eggs on the egg platform. Such modified solutions may also provide inserts for retaining eggs that are difficult and long-lasting to clean. In addition, today's egg-holding units have drive mechanisms that can consume excessive amounts of energy, provide inefficiencies and additional cash costs when used to raise the egg-holding unit to come into contact with eggs on the egg platform. Such modified solutions may also provide inserts for retaining eggs that are difficult and long-lasting to clean. In addition, today's egg-holding units have drive mechanisms that can consume excessive amounts of energy, provide inefficiencies and additional cash costs when used to raise the egg-holding unit to come into contact with eggs on the egg platform.

Accordingly, it should be desirable to provide an egg holding unit and a suitable installation capable of retaining eggs in a simplified and inexpensive way while facilitating maintenance of such a unit for egg retention and planting, and further reducing the modification associated therewith. In addition, it should be desirable to provide an appropriate method that should simplify and facilitate the retention of eggs during processing. Moreover, it should be desirable to provide an installation and a suitable method capable of providing an improved drive mechanism for the egg retention unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above and other requirements are met by the present invention, which according to one aspect provides an egg holding unit having a plate and a plurality of supports operatively connected to the plate. Each stand has a plurality of separate elements for holding eggs combined to form receptacles for receiving and contacting the end of the egg to provide support thereto.

Another aspect provides an egg processing plant having a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with a plurality of eggs contained in the egg conveyor. The egg-holding unit is located under the egg processing devices and it has a plurality of supports. Each stand has a number of separate elements combining to form a nest for contacting and holding the end of the egg in the egg conveyor.

Still another aspect provides a method for retaining eggs during the sequence of their processing. In the method, an egg conveyor comprising a plurality of eggs is disposed under a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with the respective eggs in the egg conveyor for processing them. The method further moves the egg holding unit located under the egg conveyor to the operating position such that each of the supports contacts and retains the corresponding egg in the conveyor, each support having a plurality of separate egg retention elements being combined to form a contacting receptacle and keeping the end of the corresponding egg in the egg collection conveyor.

Still another aspect is provided by an egg processing plant having a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with a plurality of eggs contained in the egg conveyor. The egg-holding unit is located under the egg processing devices and it has a plurality of supports. Each stand is designed to contact and provide support to the corresponding egg in the egg conveyor. The drive unit is designed to move the unit to hold the eggs between the operating position and the retracted position. The drive unit has a plurality of drives and at least one ramp operatively connected to each drive. The ramp is able to move along the first axis. The drive unit further comprises a plurality of movable members, functionally connected to the egg holding unit and configured to interact with the corresponding ramp. Movable elements are able to move along a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis, while ramps along the first axis cause movement of the movable members along the second axis to facilitate the movement of the egg holding unit between the working and retracted position.

Another aspect provides a method of retaining eggs during the sequence of their processing. In the method, an egg conveyor comprising a plurality of eggs is disposed under a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with the respective eggs in the egg conveyor for processing them. In the method, the egg holding unit located under the egg conveyor is moved to the operating position by moving a plurality of ramps along the first axis using a plurality of actuators, thereby causing interaction and movement of the plurality of movable members along a second axis not parallel to the first axis. Movable elements are operatively connected to the egg holding unit,

Thus, various aspects of the present invention provide advantages, as detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Thus, having described in general terms different embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an egg injection plant having an egg holding unit according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a traditional platform for eggs;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the egg platform of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the egg platform of FIG. 3, made on lines 4-4 and showing an egg held in her pocket;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another conventional egg platform;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the section of the egg platform of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a conveyor unit of an egg processing plant according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conveyor unit cooperating with an egg holding unit according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial exploded view of an egg holding unit and a corresponding drive unit according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a plate having a plurality of supports projecting therefrom in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts an egg held by a stand of an egg holding unit according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of separate egg retention elements integrating to form a receptacle for receiving an end of an egg in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of separate egg retention elements integrating to form a skeleton receptacle for receiving an end of an egg according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view, partially exploded, of the frame of an egg holding unit according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of an egg holding unit shown in a retracted position according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of an egg holding unit, shown in an extended or operational position, according to one aspect of the present invention;

17 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a drive unit for an egg holding unit according to one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 to 23 depict various configurations of the supports in accordance with aspects of the present invention for matching with different egg platform configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, various aspects of the present invention will be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, aspects of the invention are shown. In fact, this invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be formulated as limited to the aspects set forth herein; most likely, these aspects are provided in such a way that this invention will satisfy the legal requirements used. Identical designations indicate the same elements everywhere.

The present invention is directed to blocks, installations and methods for retaining eggs during the sequence or in the case of processing. In some aspects, the present invention provides an improved carrier for retaining eggs. Such supporting aspects of the present invention provide many advantages, including reducing modification efforts to take account of different forms of egg platforms, facilitating maintenance and improving reliability.

Methods, blocks, and installations according to aspects of the present invention can be used for the injection of eggs, or otherwise for egg processing. Aspects of the present invention, however, are not limited to egg injection facilities that inject eggs but can be applied to any egg treatment system in which it is desirable to either hold the egg in the egg platform or lift the egg from the egg platform. For example, the egg retaining agent described herein may be used in conjunction with an egg removal system for removing eggs from the egg platform, and it may be desirable to lift eggs from the egg platform before the eggs are seized by separate removal devices of the egg removal system. In addition, aspects of the present invention can advantageously lift vertically the plates associated with egg processing, while maintaining the plane,

Referring now to FIG. 1, we see that an exemplary egg processing plant (for example, an egg injection unit 100) comprising an egg holding unit is depicted herein. The illustrated egg injection unit 100 includes a chassis 110 that holds the conveyor system 112 and a plurality of egg injection devices 25 with fluid delivery means, such as needles located therein, in accordance with known techniques. The introduction of substances into eggs (as well as the extraction of materials from eggs) is typically accomplished by piercing the eggshell to form an opening (for example, using a punch), inserting the injection needle through the hole into the inside of the egg (and in some cases into the bird embryo contained therein) and by administering the drug (s) substance (s) through the needle and / or by removing material from it. For example, each egg injection device 25 of the apparatus 100 may comprise a piercer and an injection needle, the piercer coaxially covering the needle. The punch can be formed to pierce an egg shell to form a hole therein, and the needle can be formed to introduce the substance into the egg through the opening.

The egg platforms used with the plant 100 can typically comprise an array of pockets that are formed to hold the corresponding set of eggs mainly in a vertical orientation. This egg platform 15 is depicted in FIG. 2-4. Said egg platform 15 comprises a plurality of rows of pockets 32. Each pocket 32 ​​may be formed to receive one end 17 of the corresponding egg 20 to hold the corresponding egg 20 in a substantially vertical position. Each pocket 32 ​​of the illustrated egg platform 15 comprises a plurality of tabs 34 which are formed to hold the corresponding egg, as depicted in FIG. 4. The illustrated platform 15 holds a plurality of eggs 20 in a substantially vertical position and is formed to provide external access to the pre-established portions of the eggs 20.

FIG. 5 and 6 show another egg platform 36 that can be used in conjunction with the plant 100. The egg platform 36 differs from the egg platform 15 shown in FIG. 2-4. Each pocket 38 of the egg platform 36, as defined by the tabs 40, is formed differently than the pockets 32 of the egg platform 15. There are many types and forms of egg platforms that can be used with installation 100. The reason for the different forms of the egg platform in the poultry industry is that hatchery manufacturers typically have a special egg platform that is molded to work with their own specially manufactured equipment. Thus, the incubator manufacturer dictates the type or shape of the egg platform used in the operation of the hatchery station. Examples of suitable commercial egg platforms include, but are not limited to, the CHICKMASTER 54 platform, the JAMESWAY 42 platform and the JAMESWAY 84 platform (in each case, the number indicates the number of eggs contained in the platform). Accordingly, each egg platform may require a special egg holder to hold or lift eggs held in the egg platform during the treatment sequence or in the case of treatment such as, for example, an injection sequence for administering the drug substance to the egg.

As shown in Fig. 7, the conveyor system 112 may comprise a pair of substantially parallel strips 114 and a plurality of rails 116 therebetween. The guides 116 may be configured to receive, by sliding, egg platforms 50 positioned thereon to move in the direction indicated by the arrow A₁. During operation, each egg platform 50 can move in the direction A₁ in a position directly below the egg injection devices 25 or other processing devices such that a plurality of eggs in the egg platform 50 can be injected, removed, or otherwise treated. In some cases, the conveyor system 112 may comprise one or more endless belts 160 disposed on and along the rails 116 and capable of being activated by the drive motor 190 for transporting the egg platforms 50 in the direction A₁.

According to aspects of the present invention, the egg-retaining unit 130 may be located between the rails 114. The egg-retaining unit 130 may be positioned between the rails 114 in such a way that the egg platforms 50 extend over it. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an egg holding unit 130 showing its location relative to the rails 114 and guides 116. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 9, the egg holding unit 130 can be divided into a plurality of sections to enable it to avoid interaction with the guides 116 when moving between the operating position (while holding the eggs) and the retracted position (the non-retention position that allows the vertical clearance between the egg holding unit 130 and the platform 50 for eggs). As will be described below,

As shown in Fig. 9-11, the egg holding unit 130 may comprise one or more plates 132 having a plurality of supports 134 protruding from an upper surface 133 of the plate 132. Each stand 134 may be configured to hold the corresponding egg, as shown in particular in FIG. 11, in the egg platform, located above, as will be described below. In some cases, the stand 134 may be designed in such a manner that it provides complete retention of the egg during the processing sequence. That is, the stand 134 can, in such cases, lift the egg from the egg platform in such a way that the egg does not contact the egg platform. The stands 134 may be mounted on the plate 132 to form a structure that conforms to either a corresponding array of pockets in the egg platform.

Each stand 134 may comprise a plurality of egg retaining members 135 combined to form a receptacle 136 for receiving and contacting the end of the egg to be supported. The egg retention elements 135 may be separate elements to provide different arrangements and configurations on the plate 132 to allow co-ordination with different forms of egg platforms and their respective pockets. The use of separate components, which can be installed in different configurations, eliminates the time-consuming modification associated with the egg-holding units of the prior art. In this respect, the individual egg retention elements 135 may be capable of being installed in a variety of geometric configurations relative to the plate 132. To this end, the adjustable individual egg retaining members 135 provide significant advantages with respect to the specially designed pedestals of the prior art, since the legs of the egg platform limit the width or periphery of such specially designed prior art supports. By providing separate egg holding members 135, these elements 135 can be positioned or positioned between the tabs, as depicted in FIG. 18-23, thereby expanding or otherwise increasing the common base of the stand 134 and the socket 136. Such an enlarged base can facilitate access to the egg that is received in the seat 136, which can be particularly beneficial when the retracted egg deviates from the vertical axis in the pocket platform for eggs.

The distal end 137 of the stand 134 may have a concave shape or a funnel shape formed by the inclined upper portions 138 of the egg retaining members 135, which may themselves have a radial portion. In some cases, the egg can completely and completely lie in the seat 136 of the pedestal 134. The egg holding members 135 may be spaced apart from each other at an angle to each other.

According to aspects of the present invention, each individual egg retaining member 135 forming the stand 134 may be a formed wire such that the stand 134 is formed from a rigid frame structure, as depicted in FIG. 9, 10, 11 and 13. In other cases, as shown in FIG. 12, the egg retaining elements 135 can be rigid parts or parts combining to form the stand 134 and the seat 136. In some cases, the egg retaining members 135 forming the stand 134 can be substantially identical, while in other cases different forms. In any event, the egg retaining members 135 can be designed and executed in such a way that they provide a rigid support for the egg. In this respect, the egg retention members 135 can be formed from a solid material or structure. Such stiffness can also provide the pedestal 134 and the egg retention unit 130 with an enlarged operating term. In other cases, however, the egg retention elements 135 may be formed from an elastic material that provides a deflection when receiving and contacting the egg. The egg retention elements 135 can be formed from any material, including plastics and metal materials. In some cases, the egg retaining elements 135 can be made from stainless steel due to its hardness and hygienic quality. the egg retention members 135 may be formed from an elastic material that provides a deflection upon reception and contact with the egg. The egg retention elements 135 can be formed from any material, including plastics and metal materials. In some cases, the egg retaining elements 135 can be made from stainless steel due to its hardness and hygienic quality. the egg retention members 135 may be formed from an elastic material that provides a deflection upon reception and contact with the egg. The egg retention elements 135 can be formed from any material, including plastics and metal materials. In some cases, the egg retaining elements 135 can be made from stainless steel due to its hardness and hygienic quality.

Using separate egg holding members 135, the stand 134 can be effectively used to receive different forms of the egg platform, substantially reducing the cost of money associated with each stand 134. For example, by providing identical egg retention elements 135 made from solid metal wire, the elements 135 for retaining eggs, can be press-fitted into the plate 132 in the desired geometric configuration to be combined with any given type of egg platform. In some cases, holes may be pre-drilled in the plate 132, which allow the egg retaining members 135 to be installed according to many patterns to match many of the shapes of the egg platform.

FIG. 18 to 23 depict various arrangements for positioning the egg retaining members 135 to form the supports 134 capable of receiving the various shapes of the egg platform 500 having the legs 502. As shown, the number of the egg retaining members 135 used to form the supports 134 can vary depending on from the shape of the egg platform 500 and / or the corresponding tabs 502. Moreover, in some cases, the egg retaining members 135 can be installed in a symmetrical geometric configuration, while in other cases, the elements You 135 for holding the eggs may be installed with variable angular orientations relative to each other so that the geometrical structure is symmetrical. In some cases, the geometric arrangement of the egg retention elements 135 may have many symmetry lines.

Referring now to FIG. 7-9 and 14-17, it can be seen that the plate (s) 132 can / can be fixedly fastened between the rails 114 by a lifting device 150. The lifting device 150 can comprise a frame 152 extending between opposite rails 114 and a plurality of brackets 154 connected to either attached to the frame 152. The frame 152 may comprise a plurality of legs 156 that are inserted into the corresponding holes formed in the plate / plates 132 to firmly bond the frame 152 and the plate / plates 132. Such a structure can facilitate the removal of the cleaning and maintenance boards 132.

The drive unit 300 may be provided to move the egg retention unit 130 between the working and retracted positions. In some cases, the drive unit 300 may be configured to move the lifting device 150 such that the egg holding unit 130 can move between the working and retracted positions. In one aspect, the brackets 154 can have a plurality of apertures 155 such that the drive unit 300 can be connected to the lifting device 150. For example, the drive unit 300 can comprise a plurality of movable members 305, each having a connector 306 such as, for example, a bolt a collar capable of being inserted into the opening 155. However, in other cases, the drive unit 300 can be directly connected to the frame 152 and not to the brackets 154. In addition,

The frame 152 can move between the engaged position and the disengaged position by the actuators 170 of the drive unit 300. The illustrated actuators are pneumatically controlled and compressed air is taken by means of nozzles. Other types of drives may be used, including but not limited to hydraulic actuators, electromagnetic actuators, electronic drives, and so on, and / or their combinations. Aspects of the present invention are not limited to pneumatic actuators.

Each actuator 170 can move one or more ramps 310 back and forth along the first axis 400. The ramps 310 can move along the guide member 320 attached to one of the rails 114 as shown in FIG. 7 and 8. The movement of the ramp 310 can cause the respective movable member 305 to move up and down in the slot 118 formed in the rail 114 along the second axis 450 substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the first axis 400. Although the movable member 305 is shown moving vertically in the groove 118, it will be understood that the movable member 305 and the associated slot 118 can be executed in such a way that the movable member 305 moves along any axis not parallel with respect to the first axis 400. That is, the movable member 305 can move along any axis that is not parallel relative to the first axis 400,

15 shows an egg holding unit 130 in a retracted position. During operation, the ramps 310 can be activated to move along the first axis 400. The ramps 310 cooperate with the rolling parts 307 of the movable members 305 in such a way that the rolling parts contact and roll along the ramps 310 for movement in the groove 118 along the second axis 450. When the rolling portion 307 rises to the ramp 310, the egg-retaining unit 130 can be moved to the operating position as shown in FIG. 16, to hold the eggs from above in the egg platform. To return to the retracted position, the actuators 170 cause the ramps 310 to move along the first axis 400 in the opposite direction, thereby causing the rolling part 307 to move down the ramp 310 and the connector 306 to move downward in the groove 118. As such, the frame 152 can be lowered in such a way that the egg holding unit 130 resides in a retracted position, allowing the egg platform to pass over it. The rolling portion 307 can also slidably engage the ramp 310 in such a way that in some cases the rolling portion 307 does not roll but instead slides along the ramp 310. In some cases, instead of the rolling portion 307, a non-rolling sliding member may be provided to engage the ramp 310 for The movement of the frame 152 between the working and retracted position.

When the frame 152 moves to the engaged position, the egg holding unit 130 mounted thereon can be moved upward so that each stand 134 attached thereto enters the pocket of the egg platform and holds the corresponding egg during the egg injection sequence or another processing sequence. According to aspects of the present invention, each stand 134 may slightly lift each egg from the egg platform, although this is not required.

During operation, the egg platform 50, containing a plurality of eggs 20, moves along the egg-retaining unit 130 prior to injection by the egg-injection devices 25. The frame 152 of the egg retaining unit 130 can be moved upwardly by the drive unit 300 such that the plate 132 containing the plurality of supports 134 is moved upwardly until each pedestal 134 is engaged with the corresponding egg 20. The egg injection devices 25 contact the eggs that are held by the supports 134, an opening is formed in their shell and a preset dose of the drug substance is introduced into (and / or removed the substance from) the egg through the opening. In some cases, such as removing eggs from the egg platform using egg removal devices, it may be desirable to raise eggs from the egg platform,

Many modifications and other aspects of the present invention set forth herein will occur to a person skilled in the art, benefiting from the information provided in the above description and in the relevant drawings. It should therefore be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects fall within the scope of the appended claims. Although special terms are used here, they are used only in a generalized and descriptive sense, and not for limitation.