Facility and method for automatically determining the sex of a chick

Abstract

The present invention relates to a facility and a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, comprising - a conveyor for freely transporting said chick, - a device for destabilizing the chick and causing it to voluntarily deploy its wings, - at least one light source (25) for illuminating the wings of the chick thus deployed, - at least one imaging device (22, 23), - a central unit configured to process the acquired images and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick. According to the invention, the device for destabilizing the chick and causing it to voluntarily deploy its wings comprises at least one rotary cam (19) placed under the conveyor belt (21), the cam being shaped so as to periodically come into contact with the conveyor belt (21) and thus lift a portion thereof.

Description

Description Title: Installation and method for the automatic determination of the sex of a chick Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an installation and a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick. Prior art

[0002] Chick sexing is an important step in the poultry industry, allowing male chicks to be distinguished from females as soon as they hatch.

[0003] Such early differentiation of chicks is necessary to optimize their rearing by adapting management practices to each group of same-sex chicks, which helps to improve the efficiency and profitability of poultry farms.

[0004] It is well known that experienced operators are able to discern subtle details, allowing them to distinguish male chicks from females within the first few hours of the chicks' lives.

[0005] Among the methods for sexing a chick, it is common to observe the feathers on the ends of the wings of a chick, preferably less than one day old, or even two days old, for reliability reasons.

[0006] The sexing of the chick by the wings is in fact linked to a different arrangement of the feathers at the ends of the wings in the female and in the male.

[0007] As illustrated in Figures I (female) and 2 (male), at the tips of a chick's wings, two rows of feathers can be observed, the primary remiges and the primary covert feathers.

[0008] While in males the primary covert feathers are longer, or roughly the same size, as the primary flight feathers, in females the tips of the primary covert feathers are always shorter than the tips of the primary flight feathers.

[0009] This method of determining the sex of a chick is relatively quick and non-invasive.

[0010] However, when it comes to differentiating several thousand chicks per hour, every day, with a small margin of error, as is practiced in intensive egg-laying hen farming, these operations can prove tedious for skilled operators.

[0011] Furthermore, it is difficult to find enough workers specialized in this field today, which makes this necessary step relatively expensive.

[0012] Methods for automatic sexing of chicks are also known from the state of the art.

[0013] Patent FR 2 892 599 Bf in the name of the present applicant thus discloses an automatic chick sexing system using a camera to acquire images of the wingtips of a chick exposed to blue light and to identify, by analyzing these images, the characteristic arrangements of the feathers of the male or the female.

[0014] To ensure individual control of each chick, they are placed in cups arranged in a line, with their wings held apart by resting them on the edge of their respective cups.

[0015] Although giving good results, the wings being stable and therefore easily imaged, this method of automatic sexing of chicks can still be improved.

[0016] Indeed, this machine is relatively bulky and complex to maintain.

[0017] Furthermore, this machine does not allow high processing rates, which are however sought after today in intensive poultry farming.

[0018] Also known from patent application EP 1 092 347 A1 is a method for determining the sex of a chick in which the chick is made to lose its balance to cause it to voluntarily spread its wings, then at least one wing thus spread is illuminated and said at least one wing thus spread is photographed in order to determine the sex of this chick.

[0019] Chick imbalance can result from various stimuli, such as being encouraged to hop, shaking the chick, or placing the chick near an acoustic shock or heat source, or moving it across a vibrating surface.

[0020] However, and according to the teaching of this document, once the chick's wings are deployed, they physically interact with one or more supports in order to stabilize them in the deployed position during the illumination of their ends and the capture of images.

[0021] This physical interaction with rigid objects occurs while the chick is moving rapidly through the determination device. sex of a chick, which increases the risk of potentially fatal injuries to the chick.

[0022] Furthermore, it is found that the process which involves vibrating a conveyor belt on which the chick is transported, in order to cause it to spread its wings, requires high vibration frequencies.

[0023] Therefore, the animal is subjected not only to vibrations throughout its movement on the conveyor belt, but also to high levels of mechanical noise.

[0024] The animal's welfare is seriously affected.

[0025] There is therefore a pressing need for an installation and a method for the automatic determination of the sex of a chick, the original design of which makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art set out above. Subject of the invention

[0026] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing an installation and a method for the automatic determination of the sex of a chick, simple in their design and in their operating mode, making it possible to ensure the well-being of the animal and to preserve its health.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is such an installation and such a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick allowing extremely rapid processing rates, and by way of illustration, greater than 70,000 chicks per hour.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is such an installation and such a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick ensuring the highest resolution rate in determining the sex of the chick and increased reliability. Statement of the invention

[0029] To this end, the invention relates to an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, comprising: - a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt, preferably flexible, under tension for freely transporting said chick, said conveyor belt defining a direction of movement, - a device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings when moving along at least part of said conveyor belt, - at least one light source to illuminate the chick's wings as well deployed, - at least one imaging device for capturing one or more images of the chick's wings thus illuminated, - a central unit configured to process the images acquired by said at least one imaging device in order to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of said chick, analyze the configuration of the feathers at said at least one end and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined. According to the invention, said device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings comprises at least one rotary cam placed under said conveyor belt, each cam being driven in rotation around an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, said cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt and thus lift a part of it during this contact.

[0030] Advantageously, the original design of this automatic chick sex determination system ensures free movement of the chick, in a less noisy and less stressful environment, which contributes to its well-being.

[0031] This installation advantageously allows high automatic processing rates typically exceeding 70,000 chicks per hour, or even exceeding 90,000 chicks per hour.

[0032] The expression "freely transporting the said chick" means that the latter is transported without constraint, being carried only by the conveyor belt as it moves along the conveyor. Thus, when the chick is balanced, it is generally in contact only with this belt, by means of its legs. Similarly, when the chick spreads its wings under the effect of a stimulus causing its imbalance, there are no external supports, such as ramps placed laterally to the conveyor belt, for these spread wings to rest on.

[0033] Each rotary cam therefore makes it possible to temporarily lift, or even momentarily, a part of the conveyor belt when it comes into contact with it, to form an elevation, advantageously localized, of this conveyor belt, such as a hump or depending on the number and the respective positioning of at least two cams, a plate raised relative to the rest of the external surface of the conveyor belt. The configuration of the rest of the surface of the conveyor belt placed at a distance from said at least one rotating cam remains unchanged.

[0034] Of course, depending on the spacing between two adjacent rotating cams, it is possible that the surface of the conveyor belt placed between two areas of this belt in direct contact with these rotating cams is itself raised.

[0035] Advantageously, the inventors found that the formation or disappearance of this or these temporary elevations made it possible to unbalance the chick, causing it to spread its wings. This objective is achieved while ensuring transport without stress for the animal and without danger to its health.

[0036] The stimulus causing the chick's wings to open thus results from an imbalance in the latter caused by a localized change in the configuration of the conveyor belt, and in particular by the generation of an elevation such as a bump or a raised plateau, or even by the disappearance of this elevation. Preferably, the height of this elevation is between f0 mm and 35 mm, preferably between 35 mm and 30 mm, and even more preferably between 17 mm and 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of the conveyor belt.

[0037] By varying the number of cams used and their rotation frequency, the chick's wings are kept spread out over a period of time sufficient for illumination and the capture of a plurality of images of the latter.

[0038] According to an embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each cam comprises at least one active profile zone, said active profile zones coming into contact with said conveyor belt one after the other during the rotation of the corresponding cam when there are several of them, said active profile zone(s) of said cam being shaped to ensure that the latter remains out of contact with this conveyor belt during at least part of its rotation. Advantageously, each active profile area can also be equipped ball bearings to reduce friction with said rotating conveyor belt.

[0039] According to another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each cam comprises at least one rounded active profile zone, such as semi-cylindrical. Preferably, the cam(s) are shaped to lift the conveyor belt portion by a height of between f 7 mm and 25 mm. This cam may also comprise two active profile zones, alternately coming into contact with said conveyor belt. For example, the cam may comprise a body containing the axle and the bearings and a cage, this cage comprising a front branch and a rear branch connected to the body by arms, each of these branches having a rounded profile.

[0040] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, it comprises two rotating cams, placed under said conveyor belt while being spaced from each other along the direction of movement defined by said conveyor, each of these cams being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt and thus lift a part of it during this contact so as to cause said chick to voluntarily spread its wings when the latter is in said part of the conveyor belt thus lifted.

[0041] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said cams placed under the same conveyor belt being identical, said installation is configured to operate them synchronously in order to lift at the same time, or even simultaneously, a part of the conveyor belt. Alternatively, said installation can still be configured to operate these identical rotating cams, placed under the same conveyor belt, asynchronously.

[0042] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said cams, placed under the same conveyor belt, are different, said installation being configured to operate them synchronously. Alternatively, said installation can be configured to operate these rotating cams asynchronously.

[0043] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the frame of said belt conveyor is configured so that said conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape to automatically center said chick during its transport. Thus, when the portion of the conveyor belt descends after having been lifted by the cam(s), this portion resumes its trough shape, which makes it possible to recenter the chick on the conveyor belt and to prevent the latter from physically interacting with the edges of the conveyor.

[0044] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said first cam and said second cam are spaced from each other and shaped to move the part of the conveyor belt placed between said cams between a free, or non-contact, trough-shaped configuration and a raised flat, or substantially flat, configuration so that said chick follows at least partially a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear path. These rotating cams can thus be arranged so that the flexible conveyor belt is stretched between them. Advantageously, it has been observed that such a configuration of the portion of conveyor belt placed between the cams ensures optimal acquisition of images of the chick, in particular of the tips of its wings, the chick then moving substantially horizontally, i.e. at a constant, or substantially constant, elevation under the camera(s). It is then observed that the captured images are perfectly clear.

[0045] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each cam is configured to, upon rotation, lift a portion of said conveyor belt and transmit an impulse to said chick placed on said portion of conveyor belt in order to propel the latter into the air above said conveyor belt. In an advantageous embodiment, it is possible to ensure that the chick takes off as little as possible following the lifting of the conveyor belt by the cam(s), or even simply cushions the change in configuration of the conveyor belt with its legs. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, one may seek to that the chick is suspended above the external surface of the conveyor belt. Said rotating cams of the installation are then configured to cause the chick to be lifted above the part of the conveyor belt thus lifted. Here, "sustainment" means that the chick adapts to the variation in height of the conveyor belt thus raised by compensating with its legs and opening its wings to try to balance itself in this constant imbalance. It then gives the impression of moving forward on the conveyor at a substantially constant height, which remains higher than the lowest level of the conveyor belt thus raised.

[0046] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said conveyor is horizontal.

[0047] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said or at least one of the light sources is configured to emit a blue light. Advantageously, said or at least one of the light sources is configured to emit violet light at a wavelength between 380 nm and 420 nm, and even better, violet light at a wavelength centered on 405 nm.

[0048] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, each imaging device is a matrix camera for detecting at least the visible light reflected by said chick when it is illuminated by said at least one light source.

[0049] Preferably, said conveyor comprising two rotary cams and two matrix cameras spaced along said conveyor, the field of vision of a first of said cameras covers a first zone of the conveyor belt, at least a majority of which is placed downstream of the first rotary cam, the "downstream" position being considered relative to the direction of transport of the chick along said conveyor, and the field of vision of a second camera covers a second zone of the conveyor belt covering or not a part of said first zone of the conveyor belt, a portion of said second zone of the conveyor belt thus imaged being placed downstream of the second rotary cam. It is thus possible to carry out individual tracking of each chick up to the conveyor exit and consequently, to guarantee monitoring of the appropriate treatment of each chick. At least the first camera thus covers a majority of the part of the conveyor belt located between the portions of the conveyor belt in contact with the rotating cams.

[0050] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said conveyor comprises in its output zone, a chick ejection device configured to send the latter towards a first processing conveyor or towards a second processing conveyor separate from the first, depending on the sex of the chick identified during the processing of said images.

[0051] Preferably, the field of vision of the second camera also covers said exit area of ​​said conveyor to ensure individual monitoring of the chick at least until its arrival, or passage, at the ejection device.

[0052] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, it comprises at least two belt conveyors arranged parallel to each other to process several chicks at a time, each conveyor being equipped with one or more rotary cams placed under the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to the direction of movement defined by the corresponding conveyor, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor and thus lift a part of it during this contact.

[0053] According to yet another embodiment of this installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, it comprises n rectilinear belt conveyors arranged in series, n being greater than or equal to 2, the output of each conveyor thus opening onto the input of the immediately following conveyor, all of these conveyors defining a transport path, each conveyor comprising one or more rotary cams placed under the conveyor belt of the corresponding conveyor, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to the direction of movement defined by the corresponding conveyor, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with the conveyor belt of the conveyor corresponding and thus lift a part of it during this contact, only the conveyor placed furthest downstream, comprising said at least one imaging device and said at least one light source, said conveyor(s) placed upstream of the latter making it possible to prepare said chick for the determination of its sex on the conveyor placed furthest downstream. It is advantageous to note that such a phase of learning of the chick by its passage on one or more so-called learning conveyors, ensures a spontaneous reaction of the chick, and therefore a more rapid deployment of its wings, on the conveyor placed furthest downstream at the critical moment of carrying out the illumination and image capture operations in order to determine its sex.

[0054] The present invention also relates to a method for automatically determining the sex of a chick in which the following steps are carried out: - moving a chick on a belt conveyor comprising a tensioned conveyor belt, said conveyor defining a direction of movement of the chick, - momentarily lifting at least a portion of this conveyor belt on which the chick is transported freely to generate at least one elevation of this conveyor belt such as a bump or a raised plateau relative to the rest of the conveyor belt, in order to unbalance said chick and cause the voluntary deployment of its wings, this elevation comprising at least the portion of the belt with which said chick is directly in contact, - illuminate at least one wing thus deployed of said chick, and - detecting at least part of the light reflected by said at least one wing thus illuminated, - process the images thus acquired in order to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of said chick, analyze the configuration of the feathers at said at least one end and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined.

[0055] Preferably, this conveyor belt is flexible.

[0056] According to one embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said at least one part of the conveyor belt is lifted by one or more rotating cams placed under said conveyor belt, each cam being driven in rotation around an axis placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt and thus lift a portion thereof during this contact

[0057] According to another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, said at least one part of the conveyor belt being lifted by two rotating cams placed under said conveyor belt, the operations of the first cam and the second cam are synchronized. Alternatively, said at least one portion of conveyor belt being lifted by two rotating cams placed under said conveyor belt, the operations of the first cam and the second cam are asynchronous. The cams may or may not be identical.

[0058] According to yet another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the chassis of the belt conveyor being configured so that said conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape in order to automatically center said chick during its transport, a part of said conveyor belt is lifted to make it pass from a first configuration called free, in the shape of a trough, to a second configuration called flat or substantially flat, in which said part of the conveyor belt is flat or substantially flat.

[0059] According to yet another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the or each part of the conveyor belt thus raised has an elevation of between 8 mm and f 6 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of said conveyor belt.

[0060] According to another embodiment of this method for automatically determining the sex of a chick, the rotation frequency of the rotary cam(s) placed under the conveyor belt of a straight belt conveyor is adjusted, for a given running speed of this conveyor belt in order to obtain maximum spontaneous deployment of the chick's wings. Brief description of the drawings

[0061] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given, for explanatory and in no way limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0062] [Fig. 1] shows views of the wingtip of a female chick; Fig. 2

[0063] [Fig. 2] shows views of the wingtip of a male chick; Fig. 3

[0064] [Fig. 3] is a partial schematic representation of an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4

[0065] [Fig. 4] is another partial view of the automatic chick sexing installation of Fig. 3, the conveyor belt is shown partially to better show the rotating cams; Fig. 5

[0066] [Fig. 5] is a partial, sectional view of only the conveyors of the chick sexing facility of Fig. 3; Fig. 6

[0067] [Fig. 6] is a partial top view of the automatic chick sexing installation of Fig. 3, showing the exit area of ​​this installation, the conveyor belt is partially shown to better show the rotating cams; Description of the embodiments

[0068] The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They may therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0069] First of all, note that the figures are not to scale.

[0070] Figures 3 to 6 schematically and partially illustrate an installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] This installation comprises several identical processing lines 10 arranged in parallel in order to determine the sex of a plurality of chicks at the same time. The number of these processing lines 10 is not limited.

[0072] On the other hand, each processing line 10 of this installation comprises several rectilinear conveyors which are arranged in series, which thus define a direction of movement, or transport axis, of the chicks 11 to evacuation conveyors 12, 13 intended to transport each of the chicks of the same sex, after differentiation and separation of the latter according to their sex.

[0073] On each processing line 10, a first conveyor 14, placed upstream of the line, is configured to allow chicks deposited in bulk at the entrance of this first conveyor 14 to be organized and placed in single file.

[0074] The output of this first conveyor 14 opens onto a second conveyor 15 called a separation conveyor, and whose transport speed is greater than the transport speed of the first conveyor 14 to ensure spatial separation of the chicks.

[0075] The output of this second conveyor 15 leads to the input of a third straight conveyor 16 called "chick training". A single training conveyor is shown here but the installation could include one or more other conveyors 16 called chick training conveyors in order to reinforce the latter's training.

[0076] The output of this third conveyor 16 leads to the input of a fourth 17 conveyor called “chick sex identification”. This fourth 17 belt conveyor is configured to allow the actual capture of one or more images of at least one deployed wing of each chick transported by this conveyor.

[0077] The output of this fourth conveyor 17 leads to a station 18 for sorting the chicks according to their sex, previously identified by capturing images and processing these images with an appropriate algorithm, with a view to their evacuation to processing stations adapted to the sex of the chick 11.

[0078] Each of these belt conveyors consists of a flexible, tensioned conveyor belt. These belt conveyors are horizontal.

[0079] The frames of the second, third and fourth belt conveyors 15-17 are configured so that their conveyor belt is driven in a trough shape to automatically center a chick during its transport. The chick 11 is free and only carried by its legs when balanced on the corresponding conveyor belt.

[0080] The third and fourth conveyors 16, 17 each further comprise two rotating cams 19, placed under their conveyor belt 20, being spaced from each other. These rotating cams 19 are driven in rotation about an axis 20 placed perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0081] These rotary cams 19 are furthermore identical and synchronized at each conveyor 16, 17. Each rotary cam 19 thus comprises an active profile zone of semi-cylindrical shape, the rounded part being turned outwards. The configuration of the active profile zone of the cam ensures a in periodic contact, here at each turn, with the conveyor belt 21 of the corresponding conveyor 16, 17.

[0082] Such contacting of the active profile zone of each rotary cam 19 thus makes it possible to temporarily lift a portion of this conveyor belt 21 so as to cause the chick 11 to voluntarily spread its wings, when the latter is on said portion of conveyor belt which is thus lifted.

[0083] This is indeed a temporary lifting of a portion of the conveyor belt 21, this lifting only existing during the time period during which the active profile zone of the rotating cam 19 is in contact with the conveyor belt 21.

[0084] When the active profile zone moves away from the conveyor belt 21, due to the rotation of the corresponding cam 19, the conveyor belt is no longer in contact with the rotating cam and therefore returns to its initial configuration, i.e. in the shape of a trough.

[0085] On each of the third and fourth conveyors 16, 17, the two rotary cams 19 are arranged to raise a portion of the conveyor belt 21, this raising having a straight longitudinal section of substantially trapezoidal shape (ascent, plateau, descent). This raising of a portion of the conveyor belt here has an elevation of between 17 and 25 mm.

[0086] The purpose of the third straight conveyor 16 is to train the chick to deploy its wings more efficiently and impulsively when they encounter the same elevation on the fourth straight conveyor 17.

[0087] Advantageously, this ensures spontaneous deployment of the wings of the chick 11 at the time of carrying out the operations of illumination and capturing one or more images in order to determine its sex.

[0088] This installation comprises light sources 25 which are placed on either side of the conveyor belt and above it to illuminate the chick's wings thus deployed. These light sources 25 are configured to emit violet light at a wavelength between 380 nm and 420 nm, and even better, violet light at a wavelength centered on 405 nm.

[0089] This installation also comprises two matrix cameras 22, 23 placed above a downstream part of this fourth conveyor 17, being spaced from each other along this conveyor.

[0090] These matrix cameras 22, 23 are arranged so that the field of vision of a first 22 of these cameras covers a first zone of the conveyor belt 21, at least a majority of which is placed downstream of the first rotary cam 19, while the field of vision of the other matrix camera 23 covers a second zone of the conveyor belt 21 placed downstream of this first zone.

[0091] More precisely, this second zone of the conveyor belt 21 thus covered by the field of vision 24 of the second matrix camera 23 comprises both an end of this first zone of conveyor belt imaged by the first matrix camera 22 and a zone of the conveyor belt placed downstream of the second rotary cam 19 so that there is an overlap between these two zones of the conveyor belt 21 imaged.

[0092] In addition, the field of vision of the second matrix camera 23 covers the exit area of ​​the fourth straight conveyor 17.

[0093] It is thus possible to ensure individual monitoring of each chick 11 from its entry onto the portion of the raised conveyor belt until its exit from the fourth straight conveyor 17.

[0094] At the exit zone of the fourth rectilinear conveyor 17, an ejection device 18 is placed, configured to send the outgoing chick 11 to a first 12 processing conveyor or to a second 13 processing conveyor distinct from the first, depending on the sex of the chick identified after processing of the images acquired by the matrix cameras 22, 23.

[0095] This ejection device here comprises one or more blowers (not shown), or devices for producing a jet of pressurized air, to direct, or steer, a chick 11 towards a pre-established exit path according to its sex.

[0096] Of course, the distance separating the second rotating cam 19 from this ejection device 18 is determined so that the algorithm for processing the captured images of the chick's wings has the time necessary to identify the sex of this chick 11.

[0097] Tests were carried out with the installation described above in order to demonstrate the good results obtained with it, in determining the sex of a chick 11.

[0098] According to a first embodiment, the rotating cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt 21 of a rectilinear conveyor called “image acquisition” are configured to lift a part of the conveyor belt corresponding to a maximum height of 33 mm in relation to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt.

[0099] The rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of these 19 rotating cams is fixed at 1800 revolutions per minute.

[0100] Each of these rotating cams 19, here presents a single active profile zone having a semi-cylindrical shape.

[0101] We note advantageously in this mode of implementation, a very low average error rate on the identification of the sex of the chick.

[0102] According to another embodiment, the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt of a first rectilinear belt conveyor called "chick learning" and the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt 21 of a second rectilinear belt conveyor called "image acquisition" are identical and configured so that a first of the rotary cams of each pair, placed upstream of the corresponding conveyor, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt, while the other cam of the pair, placed downstream, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 33 mm.

[0103] In addition, the rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of the rotating cams 19 of the so-called “chick learning” conveyor is set at 1500 revolutions per minute while the rotation speed of the rotating cams 19 of the second so-called “image acquisition” conveyor is set at 2400 revolutions per minute.

[0104] We also note in this mode of implementation, a very low average error rate on the identification of the sex of the chick.

[0105] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt of a first rectilinear belt conveyor called "chick learning" and the pair of rotary cams 19 placed under the conveyor belt 21 of a second rectilinear belt conveyor called "image acquisition" are identical and configured so that a first of the cams of each pair, placed upstream of the corresponding conveyor, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 25 mm relative to the rest of the external surface of this conveyor belt, while the other cam of the pair, placed downstream, is configured to lift a portion of the corresponding conveyor belt by a height of approximately 17 mm.

[0106] In addition, the rotation speed (revolutions per minute = rpm) of the rotating cams 19 of the first conveyor is set at 1800 revolutions per minute while the rotation speed of the rotating cams 19 of the second conveyor is set at 3000 revolutions per minute.

[0107] Here again, in this method of implementation, we observe a very low average error rate in identifying the sex of the chick.

[0108] It will be noted that the frequency of the rotating cams 19 on the second rectilinear conveyor called the image acquisition conveyor, or the capture of images of the deployed wings, is always higher than the frequency of the rotating cams on the first conveyor called the "learning" conveyor, because the aim is to cause the greatest imbalance in the capture zone of one or more images of the deployed wings of the chick.

[0109]

Claims

Claims

1. Installation for automatically determining the sex of a chick, comprising - a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt (21) under tension for freely transporting said chick, said conveyor belt (21) defining a direction of movement, - a device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily spread its wings when moving along at least part of said conveyor belt, - at least one light source (25) for illuminating the wings of the chick thus deployed, - at least one imaging device (22, 23) for capturing one or more images of the chick's wings thus illuminated, - a central unit configured to process the images acquired by said at least one imaging device (22, 23) in order to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of said chick, analyze the configuration of the feathers at said at least one end and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined, characterized in that said device for unbalancing the chick and causing it to voluntarily deploy its wings comprises at least one rotary cam (19) placed under said conveyor belt (21), each cam being driven in rotation about an axis (20) placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, said cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt (21) and thus lift a part of it during this contact.

2. Installation according to claim f, characterized in that each rotating cam (19) comprises at least one active profile zone, said active profile zones coming into contact with said conveyor belt (21) one after the other during the rotation of the corresponding cam, said active profile zone(s) of said cam being shaped to ensure that the latter remains out of contact with this conveyor belt (21) during at least part of its rotation.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each rotary cam (19) comprises at least one rounded active profile zone, such as semi-cylindrical.

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises two rotary cams (19), placed under said conveyor belt (21) being spaced from each other along the direction of movement defined by said conveyor, each of these cams being driven in rotation around an axis (20) placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt (21) and thus lift a part of it during this contact so as to cause said chick to voluntarily spread its wings when the latter is in said part of conveyor belt (21) thus lifted.

5. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotary cams (19) being identical, said installation is configured to operate them synchronously or asynchronously.

6. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame of said belt conveyor is configured so that said conveyor belt (21) is driven in a trough shape to automatically center said chick during its transport.

7. Installation according to claims 4 or 5 and 6, characterized in that said first cam and said second cam are spaced from each other and shaped to move the part of the conveyor belt (21) placed between said cams between a free, or non-contact, trough-shaped configuration and a raised flat, or substantially flat, configuration so that said chick follows at least partially a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear path.

8. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rotary cam (19) is configured to, during its rotation, lift a part of said conveyor belt (21) and transmitting an impulse to said chick (11) placed on said conveyor belt portion (21) in order to propel the latter into the air above said conveyor belt (21).

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said conveyor comprises two rotating cams (19) and at least two matrix cameras (22, 23) spaced along said conveyor, the field of vision of a first (22) of said cameras covers a first zone of the conveyor belt (21) of which at least a majority is placed downstream of the first rotating cam (19), and the field of vision (24) of a second (23) camera covers a second zone of the conveyor belt (21) covering or not a part of said first zone of conveyor belt (21), a portion of said second zone of the conveyor belt (21) thus imaged, being placed downstream of the second rotating cam (19).

10. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conveyor comprises in its output zone, a device (18) for ejecting the chick configured to send the latter towards a first (12) processing conveyor or towards a second (13) processing conveyor distinct from the first, depending on the sex of the chick identified during the processing of said images.

11. Installation according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the field of vision of the second (23) matrix camera also covers said exit zone of said conveyor to ensure individual monitoring of the chick at least until its arrival, or passage, at the level of the ejection device (18).

12. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two belt conveyors arranged parallel to each other to process several chicks at a time, each conveyor being equipped with one or more rotary cams (19) placed under the conveyor belt (21) of the corresponding conveyor, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis (20) placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to the direction of movement defined by the corresponding conveyor, each cam being shaped to enter periodically in contact with the conveyor belt (21) of the corresponding conveyor and thus lift a part of it during this contact.

13. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises n rectilinear belt conveyors arranged in series, n being greater than or equal to 2, the outlet of each conveyor opening onto the inlet of the immediately following conveyor, all of these conveyors defining a transport path, each conveyor comprising one or more rotary cams placed under the conveyor belt (21) of the corresponding conveyor, each cam being driven in rotation about an axis (20) placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to the direction of movement, each rotary cam (19) being shaped to periodically come into contact with the conveyor belt (21) of its corresponding conveyor and thus lift a portion of this conveyor belt (21) during this contact, only the conveyor placed furthest downstream comprises said at least one imaging device (22,23) and said at least one light source (25), said belt conveyor(s) placed upstream of the latter making it possible to prepare said chick for the determination of its sex on the rectilinear conveyor placed furthest downstream.,

14. A method for automatically determining the sex of a chick in which the following steps are carried out: - moving a chick on a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt (21) under tension, said conveyor defining a direction of movement of the chick, - momentarily lifting at least a portion of this conveyor belt (21) on which the chick is transported freely to generate at least one elevation of this conveyor belt (21) such as a bump or a plateau raised relative to the rest of the conveyor belt (21), in order to unbalance said chick and cause the voluntary deployment of its wings, this elevation comprising at least the portion of the belt with which said chick is directly in contact, - illuminate at least one wing thus deployed of said chick, and - detect the light reflected by said at least one wing thus illuminated, - process the images thus acquired in order to isolate on at least some of these images the end of at least one of the wings of said chick, analyze the configuration of the feathers at said at least one end and determine from this configuration whether it is a male or female chick or whether the sex is undetermined.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that said at least one portion of conveyor belt (21) is lifted by one or more rotating cams (19) placed under said conveyor belt (21), each cam being driven in rotation about an axis (20) placed transversely, or substantially transversely, relative to said direction of movement, each cam being shaped to periodically come into contact with said conveyor belt (21) and thus lift a portion thereof during this contact.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that said at least one portion of conveyor belt (21) being lifted by two rotating cams (19) placed under said conveyor belt (21), the operations of the first cam and the second cam are synchronized.

17. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the chassis of the belt conveyor being configured so that said conveyor belt (21) is driven in a trough shape in order to automatically center said chick during its transport, a part of said conveyor belt (21) is lifted to make it pass from a first configuration called free, in the shape of a trough, to a second configuration called flat or substantially flat, in which said part of the conveyor belt (21) is flat or substantially flat.