Egg conveyor assembly

Abstract

An egg conveyor assembly (1) comprises a first conveyor (4) having a first conveyor direction (X), a second conveyor (5) extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) transverse to the first conveyor direction (X), and a transfer device (6) arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The transfer device comprises a transfer conveyor, the transfer conveyor comprising an annular element (60) and extending in the second conveyor direction (Y). The second conveyor circulates a second egg holder (52) continuously, and the transfer conveyor circulates an egg transfer holder (62) discontinuously, such that the egg transfer holder of the transfer device is substantially stationary when receiving eggs from the first conveyor, and such that the egg transfer holder of the transfer device moves substantially synchronously with the second egg holder of the second conveyor when dropping eggs into the second egg holder of the second conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg conveyor assembly, the egg conveyor assembly comprising:

[0002] a first conveyor comprising an annular element and a plurality of lanes of first egg holders, the plurality of lanes of first egg holders being connected to the annular element and extending in a first conveyor direction (X),

[0003] a second conveyor, which is arranged at a lower height level than the first conveyor and comprises an annular element and at least one lane of second egg holders, which at least one lane of second egg holders is connected to the annular element and extends in a second conveyor direction (Y) transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the first conveyor direction (X),

[0004] - a transfer device, which is arranged at a height level between the first conveyor and the second conveyor and is suitable for transferring eggs from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and comprises an egg transfer holder, which is suitable for receiving eggs from the first conveyor from above the egg transfer holder and for releasing the eggs in a second egg holder of the second conveyor. Background Art

[0005] WO 2016 / 118004 discloses an egg conveyor assembly, wherein the transfer device is adapted and arranged such that: in a first movement phase for receiving eggs from a first conveyor, the transfer device moves at a speed (v) which is synchronized with the first conveyor. x ) moves in the direction (X) of the first conveyor; and in a second movement phase where the eggs are released onto the second conveyor, the transfer device moves at a speed (v) synchronized with the second conveyor y ) moves along the second conveyor direction (Y). After the eggs have been released to the second conveyor, the transfer device slows down and returns to the initial position on the bottom side of the first conveyor to receive a new batch of eggs.

[0006] A disadvantage of the known conveyor assembly is that the return phase of the transfer device takes up valuable time. This time loss can be minimized by increasing the speed at which the transfer device is operated. However, high speeds and high accelerations increase noise and wear of components. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an egg conveyor assembly in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome.

[0008] This object is achieved by an egg conveyor assembly according to a first aspect of the invention, the egg conveyor assembly comprising: a first conveyor comprising a first ring-shaped element and a plurality of lanes of first egg holders, the plurality of lanes of the first egg holders being connected to the first ring-shaped element and extending in a first conveyor direction; a second conveyor arranged at a lower height level than the first conveyor and comprising a second ring-shaped element and at least one lane of a second egg holder, the at least one lane of the second egg holder being connected to the second ring-shaped element and extending in a second conveyor direction transverse to the first conveyor direction; a transfer device arranged at a height level between the first conveyor and the second conveyor and adapted to transfer eggs from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and comprising an egg transfer holder adapted to receive eggs from the first conveyor from above the egg transfer holder and to release eggs in the second egg holder of the second conveyor, wherein the transfer device comprises a transfer conveyor comprising a third ring-shaped element and at least one lane of the egg transfer holder, the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder being connected to the third ring-shaped element and extending in a second conveyor direction (Y),

[0009] wherein, in use, the second conveyor circulates the at least one lane of the second egg holder continuously and the transfer conveyor circulates the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder discontinuously, such that the lanes of the egg transfer holder of the transfer device are substantially stationary when receiving eggs from the first conveyor and such that the lanes of the egg transfer holder of the transfer device move substantially synchronously with the lanes of the second egg holder of the second conveyor when dropping eggs into the second egg holder of the second conveyor, and wherein the second conveyor and the transfer device are arranged so that the second conveyor and the transfer device have at least one section in which the circulating lanes of the second conveyor and the circulating lanes of the transfer conveyor run in parallel and one above the other, in which section the transfer device releases the eggs into the second egg holder of the second conveyor.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides two conveyors, which extend and move in a transverse direction, preferably in a vertical direction. The first conveyor is relatively wide and has a plurality of lanes, for example six lanes, so as to form a transverse row of first egg holders and is suitable for simultaneously dropping a row of eggs into the egg transfer holders of the transfer device. The first conveyor moves discontinuously or continuously at a relatively low speed. The second conveyor is relatively narrow and moves at a relatively high speed transverse to the first conveyor. If, for example, the first conveyor has six lanes, the second conveyor can have one lane or may have two lanes. If, for example, the first conveyor has twelve lanes, the second conveyor can have, for example, three lanes or four lanes. Eggs are transferred from the relatively slow, wider first conveyor to the relatively fast, narrower conveyor. Since the transfer device according to the present invention is implemented as an annular conveyor that moves only in the same direction (Y) as the second conveyor, the return movement is eliminated. The transfer conveyor has a section that runs above the corresponding section of the second conveyor. The plurality of egg transfer holders of the transfer conveyor are filled with eggs from the egg holders of the first conveyor, wherein the number depends on the number of lanes of the first conveyor. Next, the transfer conveyor is accelerated until the transfer conveyor moves simultaneously or almost simultaneously with the egg holders of the second conveyor and is aligned with the egg holders of the second conveyor. Next, the eggs can fall from the egg holders of the transfer conveyor into the egg holders of the second conveyor. After the eggs fall from the transfer conveyor, the transfer conveyor can be stopped immediately so that new eggs can be received from the first conveyor. A return movement in the Y direction is not required because the transfer device comprises an endless conveyor.

[0011] In a second aspect according to the invention, the transfer of eggs is carried out in the opposite direction, thus from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. Thus, the eggs are transferred from the relatively fast, narrow second conveyor to the relatively slow, wide first conveyor. In practice, the second conveyor will therefore be at a higher height level than the first conveyor.

[0012] Possible further embodiments of the assembly according to the first aspect of the invention are described below. A person skilled in the art will easily appreciate that these further embodiments according to the second aspect of the invention are also possible if the directions in the definitions are occasionally reversed.

[0013] Preferably, the transfer device is suitable for cyclic operation, wherein, in each cycle, a group of eggs is received by a subset of transfer holders from the first conveyor and falls from said subset of transfer holders into a subset of second egg holders, and wherein the subsets of second egg holders follow one directly after another, i.e. there are no empty second egg holders between the subsets of second egg holders, and a plurality of groups of eggs in a continuous cycle fall from the transfer holders into the subsets of second egg holders.

[0014] The first conveyor may move discontinuously, wherein the first conveyor is stationary when eggs fall into egg holders of the transfer conveyor, or the first conveyor may move continuously at a lower speed that is at least lower than the speed of the second conveyor.

[0015] In a practical embodiment, the second conveyor circulates said at least one lane of second egg holders in a horizontal plane.

[0016] In a practical embodiment, the first conveyor circulates said plurality of lanes of first egg holders in a vertical plane.

[0017] In a particular practical embodiment, the first conveyor comprises a rotating wheel about which the first egg holder is turned from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation, and wherein the first egg holder comprises a pocket having a gripping device to hold an egg when the first egg holder is in the inverted orientation. Possible embodiments of these egg holders form a further aspect of the invention and are described further below.

[0018] In a practical embodiment, the transfer device circulates the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder in a horizontal plane.Preferably, the second conveyor and the transfer device have at least one section where the circulating lanes run in parallel and one above the other.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the endless element of the second conveyor is driven by an AC motor with frequency control.

[0020] In a possible embodiment, the annular element of the transfer device is driven by a servomotor.

[0021] The egg transfer holders of the transfer device may each include a pocket having a holding state in which an egg can be received from above and held, and a release state in which the egg can be discharged from a bottom side of the pocket.

[0022] In a possible embodiment the second conveyor has one lane or two parallel lanes of second egg holders.

[0023] In a possible embodiment, the transfer device has a number of lanes of egg transfer holders corresponding to the number of second egg conveyors.

[0024] In a possible embodiment, the second conveyor has an elliptical path.Preferably, the transfer device also has an elliptical path that is shorter than the elliptical path of the second conveyor.

[0025] In a possible embodiment, the egg holder of the transfer device is movable in the height direction so that the egg holder of the transfer device is selectively directed toward the egg holder of the first conveyor to receive eggs from the egg holder of the first conveyor and / or so that the egg holder of the transfer device is selectively directed toward the egg holder of the second conveyor to drop eggs into the egg holder of the second conveyor. The free fall acceleration when the eggs fall from the egg holder of the first conveyor into the egg holder of the transfer device or from the egg holder of the transfer device into the egg holder of the second conveyor is a limiting factor for the cycle time. This embodiment mitigates the effect of the free fall acceleration by reducing the height distance between the egg holder of the transfer device and the egg holder of the first conveyor from which the eggs fall.

[0026] In a possible embodiment, the egg holder of the second conveyor is movable in the height direction so that the egg holder of the second conveyor is selectively directed toward the egg holder of the transfer device to receive eggs from the egg holder of the transfer device. The free fall acceleration of the eggs as they fall from the egg holder of the transfer device into the egg holder of the second conveyor is a limiting factor in the cycle time. This embodiment mitigates the effects of the free fall acceleration by reducing the height distance between the egg holder of the transfer device and the egg holder of the first conveyor from which the eggs fall.

[0027] In another possible embodiment, the egg holder of the first conveyor can be moved in the height direction so that the egg holder of the first conveyor is selectively oriented toward the egg holder of the transfer device so that the egg falls into the egg holder of the transfer device. The free fall acceleration when the egg falls from the egg holder of the first conveyor into the egg holder of the transfer device is a limiting factor for the cycle time. This embodiment mitigates the effect of the free fall acceleration by reducing the height distance between the egg holder of the first conveyor (from which the egg falls) and the egg holder of the transfer device.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an egg holder to be incorporated into an egg conveyor.

[0029] The egg can be oriented top-up or top-down in the egg holder. In some cases, the egg must be received or grabbed top-up to subsequently clamp the egg and turn the egg holder in the opposite direction so that the egg is held top-down. The problem with grabbing the egg top-up in an egg holder formed as a holder is that the lower end of the egg is weaker than the top of the egg. In addition, conventional egg holders are increasingly inflexible toward the pivot point of the egg holder. Therefore, grabbing a dropped egg top-up in a conventional egg holder has a considerable risk of forming cracks in the egg.

[0030] In addition, the size of eggs may vary greatly. However, large eggs should be sufficiently clamped and small eggs should not be held too loosely to enable the egg protector to turn in the opposite direction. In order to finally arrange the eggs in the package with the top facing downward, the orientation of the eggs must be maintained. Since the center of gravity of the egg is above the widest section, the position of the egg is unstable and the egg tends to roll over. In addition, a small egg may be as wide as a large egg, so that the small egg may lose its orientation during the fall before the conventional clamp mentioned is closed.

[0031] These problems are solved by an egg holder for an egg conveyor, wherein the egg holder comprises a pocket for receiving an egg from above, and comprises a movable clamping member which is arranged in the pocket and can be moved between an open position, in which an egg can be received in the pocket or released from the pocket, and a closed position, in which the clamping member engages on the egg in the pocket to retain the egg in the pocket. In the egg holder according to the invention, the gripping function and the gripping function are performed by different parts of the egg container: the pocket grips or receives the egg from above; the gripping member grips the egg and retains it.

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the egg holder further comprises a rigid carrier part, which is connectable to the endless conveyor, wherein the pocket is arranged in the carrier part, and wherein the pocket is flexible to cushion eggs falling from above into the egg holder. In this embodiment, the pocket is therefore particularly suitable for minimizing the risk of egg breakage.

[0033] In a possible embodiment of the egg holder, the movable clamping member is pivotably connected to the carrier.Thus, the clamping member is pivotably connected to the rigid component, ie the carrier.

[0034] In a possible embodiment, the pocket converges from the upper side of the pocket toward the lower side of the pocket to form a conical egg receiving space. This facilitates grabbing the egg and holds the egg in a top-up orientation when the egg is grabbed.

[0035] In a possible embodiment, the pocket is formed by a flexible element, in particular a flexible finger-like element, which extends from the upper side of the egg holder towards the lower side, and wherein the flexible element converges from the upper side towards the lower side to form the conical egg receiving space. Preferably, the flexible finger-like elements each have a tip at the lower end, the tips of the flexible finger-like elements being free, i.e. not connected to each other or to another component, so that if an egg is pressed into the pocket, the flexible finger-like elements can elastically expand apart to a predetermined extent to increase the egg receiving space.

[0036] In a possible further embodiment, the flexible element has upper ends, wherein the upper ends of the flexible element are connected to each other via an annular body.The annular body and the flexible finger-like elements may be formed as an integral body constituting the bag.

[0037] Since the finger elements are connected to each other only at the upper side, the finger elements will bend apart under the influence of the weight of the egg received in the pocket. Thus, the pocket is adapted to the size of the egg and the egg will maintain its proper orientation. Since a smaller egg will have a smaller weight than a larger egg, the bending amount of the finger elements will be less than for a larger egg. Therefore, a smaller egg will not sink too deeply into the pocket. Thus, the top of the egg will be located within a predetermined range of height levels within which the gripping member can adequately grip the egg from above.

[0038] In another embodiment, the carrier portion comprises a stop member located near the tip of the finger-like element. The stop member is arranged and configured to limit the extent to which the finger-like element can be spread apart. Thus, the stop member ensures that eggs cannot escape through the bottom side of the pocket.

[0039] In a possible embodiment of the egg holder, the pocket has an opening, and wherein the clamping member is extendable or movable through the opening to engage on an egg in the pocket.

[0040] Each of the openings may be formed by a space between two of the finger elements.

[0041] The bag part can be made of a plastic material, for example polyamide (PA) by injection molding.

[0042] In a possible embodiment, the clamping members are configured as pivotable jaws having parallel pivot axes.Each of the jaws may have two clamping fingers.

[0043] Each claw may have an associated biasing member to bias the claw to an open position or a closed position. The claw may be moved to the closed position by an actuating element.

[0044] The invention also relates to an egg conveyor comprising an egg holder as described above coupled to an annular element. The annular element may be a circulating chain or the like driven by a motor. The egg holder may be arranged on a rod connected to the annular element and thus coupled to the annular element via the rod. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The present invention will be further described in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1shows a perspective view from above of a practical embodiment of an egg conveyor assembly according to the first aspect of the invention,

[0047] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the egg conveyor assembly from the side,

[0048] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 Another perspective view of the egg conveyor assembly,

[0049] Figures 4 to 11 With Figure 3 A similar view schematically illustrates the operation of the egg conveyor assembly according to the invention,

[0050] Figures 12 to 15 The operation of an egg conveyor assembly according to another aspect of the present invention is schematically shown. Figures 4 to 11 The opposite configuration of

[0051] Figures 16 to 20 Schematically illustrating the operation of a possible further embodiment of an egg conveyor assembly according to the first aspect of the invention,

[0052] Fig.21 A perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of an egg holder according to another aspect of the present invention,

[0053] Fig. 22 Shows Fig.21 A top view of an egg holder,

[0054] Fig.23 Shows Fig.21 A side view of an egg holder, wherein the bearing portion is omitted,

[0055] FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C Shown in Fig.21 The egg holder receives and holds the egg,

[0056] FIG. 25A to FIG. 25B The cross section schematically shows Fig.21 an egg holder for receiving an egg, and

[0057] FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C The mechanism for moving the conveyor's egg holders up or down is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] exist Figures 1 to 3 , a part of a practical embodiment of an egg conveyor assembly 1 according to the invention is shown. It should be noted that for the sake of clarity and visibility some components are not drawn and other components are drawn in a simplified manner.

[0059] The conveyor assembly 1 is generally intended to be a part of an egg grader assembly. Egg grader assemblies are used in the egg processing industry to sort eggs into different grades according to size, weight, color, possible cracks and dirt on the egg shell, etc. Based on the grade, the eggs are individually fed to a selected packaging lane or discharge path.

[0060] In the egg conveyor assembly 1, eggs are supplied to an egg orienting device 3 having multiple lanes via multiple lane paths 2. The egg orienting device 3 is adapted to arrange the eggs top-up or top-down in the egg holders of the egg conveyor. The principle and operation of the particular egg orienting device 3 shown here is described in EP3256388 B1. The egg orienting device supplies eggs to the egg conveyor assembly 1 of the present invention.

[0061] The egg conveyor assembly 1 comprises a first conveyor 4 and a second conveyor 5, the second conveyor being arranged at a lower height level than the first conveyor 4. The first conveyor 4 comprises an endless element 40, which in this case is implemented as a chain, or possibly as two chains, one on either side of the conveyor. Figures 1 to 3 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the first conveyor 4 has six lanes 41 of first egg holders 42 connected to the ring element 40 and extending in the first conveyor direction X. The egg holders 42 are arranged in rows on a transverse bar 43 connected to the ring element 40. On the transverse bar 43, the spacing between the egg holders 42 of a row can vary. Figure 3 As can be best seen in FIG. 1 , when the upper run of the first conveyor 4 receives eggs from the egg orienting device 3 , the spacing is larger and as the egg holders 42 rotate about the rotating wheel 44 of the first conveyor 4 , the spacing decreases.

[0062] The first conveyor 4 may be driven by a drive motor (not shown) acting on a spindle 45 connected to a rotating wheel 44 .

[0063] The egg holder 42 of the first conveyor 4 includes a pocket with a gripping device to hold the egg when the first egg holder is in an inverted orientation. Thus, the egg holder 42 receives the egg from above the egg holder on the upper run of the first conveyor 4, and then holds the egg with the gripping device so that the egg does not fall out when the egg holder 42 rotates around the rotating wheel 44 from the upright orientation (where the upper run of the first conveyor 4 ends) to the inverted orientation (where the lower run of the first conveyor 4 begins). Thus, finally, the egg is suspended in the first conveyor 4. Since the egg initially falls from the egg orienting device 3 with the top upward, the egg will eventually be suspended in the egg conveyor 4 with the top downward.

[0064] The following will refer to Figure 21 to Figure 2 6 further describes the egg holder 42 in detail.

[0065] The second egg conveyor 5 is implemented as a so-called "egg chain" extending in a conveyor direction Y perpendicular to the conveyor direction X. The second conveyor 5 comprises an annular element 50 and two lanes 51 of a second egg holder 52 in this example, the two lanes of the second egg holder being connected to the annular element 50. The second conveyor 5 circulates the lanes 51 of the second egg holder 52 in a horizontal plane. The annular element 50 runs around a sprocket with a vertical axis of rotation. The second conveyor 5 can have, for example, an elliptical path, but can also have a path of another shape. One of the sprockets can be driven by a drive motor 53 via an output shaft 54 ​​of the motor 53. The drive motor 53 can actually be an AC motor with frequency control. The drive motor 53 is suitable for driving the second conveyor 5 to run continuously at a constant speed v2. In other words, the drive motor 53 can be controlled by a control device.

[0066] A transfer device 6 is arranged between the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 5. The transfer device 6 is adapted to transfer eggs from the first conveyor 4 to the second conveyor 5.

[0067] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the practical embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the transfer device 6 comprises a transfer conveyor, which is implemented as an egg chain, which is similar to the second conveyor 5 , but shorter. The transfer device can also define an elliptical path, for example. The transfer conveyor comprises an annular element 60 and two lanes of egg transfer holders 62, which are connected to the annular element 60 and extend in the second conveying direction Y.

[0068] The egg transfer holder 62 is adapted to receive eggs from above the egg transfer holder from the first conveyor 4. The first conveyor 4 simultaneously drops a row of eggs into the egg transfer holder 62 of the transfer device 6. The egg transfer holders 62 of the transfer device 6 each include an operable pocket having a holding state in which eggs can be received and held from above and a release state (or open state) in which eggs can be discharged from the bottom side of the pocket.

[0069] The transfer conveyor 6 circulates the lanes of the egg transfer holder 62 in a horizontal plane. The ring element 60 runs around a sprocket with a vertical rotation axis. One of the sprockets can be driven by a drive motor 63 via an output shaft 64 of the motor 63. The drive motor 63 can be a servomotor that can be controlled by a control system that controls the speed of the transfer conveyor. The second conveyor 5 and the transfer device 6, which are arranged in parallel horizontal planes, are arranged so that the second conveyor and the transfer device have at least one section in which the circulating lanes of the second conveyor 5 and the circulating lanes of the transfer conveyor run in parallel and one above the other. In this section, the egg transfer device 6 releases the eggs in the second egg holder 52 of the second conveyor 5.

[0070] Refer to the instructions Figure 4 To indicate Fig.11 The operation of the egg conveyor assembly 1 will now be described, wherein relevant components will be indicated by the same reference numerals as in the previous description.

[0071] exist Figure 4 , wherein eggs 10 (depicted as circles in this schematic diagram) are located in the lower run of the first conveyor 4 and are suspended in the first egg holders 42. At this moment, the first conveyor is stationary. The eggs 10 are located above a subgroup 65 of the egg holders 62 of the transfer device 6, which subgroup 65 is represented by a dashed box. The transfer device 6 is stationary, so the speed v of the transfer device t is 0m / s.

[0072] Next, the egg 10 is released by the first egg holder 42 of the first conveyor 4, which Figure 2 The egg 10 falls towards the transfer conveyor 6. The speed v of the transfer device 6 t Still 0m / s.

[0073] exist Figure 6 The moment in which the eggs 10 are received in the subgroup 65 of the transfer holder 62 of the transfer device 6 is shown in FIG. 1 . At this moment, the speed of the transfer device 6 is still 0 m / s. At the same time, the second conveyor 5 is continuously moving at a speed v2. In a practical embodiment, this speed may be between 0.5 m / s and 1 m / s, which will be used here as an example. Figure 6 The situation shown in FIG. 1 is 150 ms after the start of the cycle.

[0074] exist Figure 6 The subgroup 55 of the second egg holder 52 into which the eggs held in the subgroup 65 of the transfer device will fall is shown by a dashed box in FIG. Figure 6It can be seen that the holders 52 of the subgroup 55 and the holders 62 of the subgroup 65 are not yet aligned. After the eggs 10 are received in the subgroup 65 of the transfer device 6, the transfer device 6 is accelerated by the drive motor 63 and the associated control system to a speed corresponding to the speed of the second conveyor 5. Figure 7 FIG. 2 shows the situation after 270 ms: wherein the holder 62 of the subgroup 65 is aligned with the holder 52 of the subgroup 55, and the transfer device 6 reaches the speed of the second conveyor (v t =v2).

[0075] Next, as in Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , eggs 10 can fall from holders 62 of the transfer device 6 into holders 52 of the second conveyor 5, while subgroups 55 of the second conveyor 5 and subgroups 65 of the transfer device 6 are moving simultaneously. Fig. 9 The case is 420ms after the loop starts.

[0076] When the eggs have been received in the holders 52 of the second conveyor 5, the transfer device 6 can be decelerated to standstill, so that v t =0m / s. At the same time, Fig.10 In FIG. 1 , it can be seen that a new egg 10 is hanging from the first conveyor 4, ready to fall into the holder of the transfer device. This is 540 ms after the start of the cycle. The cycle now starts again. Fig.11 As can be seen in FIG. 6 , a new subset 66 of transfer holders 62 is ready to receive eggs 10 from the first conveyor 4. Fig.11 , the new subgroup 66 and the previous subgroup 65 have an overlap of the egg holders 62. Fig.11 The new subgroup 56 of the second egg holders 52 of the second conveyor 5 is directly behind the previous subgroup 55 and there are no empty holders 52 between the two subgroups 55 and 56.

[0077] It should be noted that the first conveyor 4 may have a low constant speed, but it is also possible to rotate the rotating wheel intermittently.

[0078] Furthermore, it should be noted that the above speeds and times are examples only, but are indicative of the order of magnitude of speeds and cycle times that are actually feasible.

[0079] exist Fig.12 1 shows a different conveyor assembly than that shown in the previous figures. The assembly 100 comprises a first conveyor 104 and a second conveyor 105, wherein the second conveyor 105 is located at a higher height level than the first conveyor 104.

[0080] The first conveyor 104 may comprise an annular element, for example implemented as a chain, or possibly as two chains, one on either side of the conveyor. In this particular embodiment, the first conveyor 104 has six lanes of first egg holders 142 connected to the annular element and extending in a first conveyor direction X, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. In the drawing, only the transverse rows of first egg holders 142 are shown. The first conveyor 104 may be driven by a drive motor (not shown).

[0081] The second egg conveyor 105 is embodied as a so-called "egg chain", which extends in a conveyor direction Y perpendicular to the conveyor direction X. The second conveyor 105 comprises an annular element and at least one lane of second egg holders 152, the at least one lane of the second egg holders being connected to the annular element. The second conveyor 105 circulates the at least one lane of the second egg holders 152 in a horizontal plane. The annular element runs around a sprocket with a vertical axis of rotation. The second conveyor 105 can have, for example, an elliptical path, but can also have a path of another shape. One of the sprockets can be driven by a drive motor. The drive motor can in fact be an AC motor with frequency control. The drive motor is suitable for driving the second conveyor 105 at a constant speed v y Continuously operate.

[0082] A transfer device 106 is arranged between the first conveyor 104 and the second conveyor 105. The transfer device 106 is adapted to transfer eggs from the second conveyor 105 to the first conveyor 104.

[0083] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the practical embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the transfer device 106 comprises a transfer conveyor, which is implemented as an egg chain, which is similar to the second conveyor 105, but shorter. The transfer device can also define an elliptical path, for example. The transfer conveyor comprises an annular element and comprises at least one lane of egg transfer holders 162, which are connected to the annular element and extend in the second conveying direction Y. The number of lanes of the transfer conveyor 106 is the same as the number of lanes of the second conveyor 105.

[0084] exist Fig.12 1 shows an initial state in which eggs 10 are located in egg holders 152 of the second conveyor 105. In the figure, the egg holders 152 on the left are depicted as empty, but in reality these egg holders are filled with eggs. The second conveyor 105 is moving at a speed v y The eggs 10 are located above a subgroup 165 of the egg holders 162 of the transfer device 106, which subgroup 165 is represented by a dashed box. The transfer device 106 moves at the same speed v as the second conveyor 105. yThus, the egg holders 162 of the subgroup 165 remain below the egg holders 152 of the second conveyor 105 .

[0085] Next, the egg 10 is released by the second egg holder 152 of the second conveyor 105. The egg 10 falls toward the transfer conveyor 106. Fig.13 The moment when the eggs 10 are received in the subgroup 165 of the transfer holder 162 of the transfer device 106 is shown in FIG. 1 . At this moment, the speed of the transfer device 6 is still the same as the speed v of the second conveyor 105. y same.

[0086] exist Fig.13 The subgroup 145 of the first egg holders 142 into which the eggs held in the subgroup 165 of the transfer device will fall is shown by a dashed box in FIG. Fig.13 As can be seen in FIG, the egg holders 142 of subgroup 145 and the egg holders 162 of subgroup 165 are not yet aligned. After the eggs 10 are received in subgroup 165 of transfer device 106, the speed of transfer device 106 is reduced to zero by the associated drive motor and associated control system. Fig.14 , a situation is shown in which the egg holders 162 of the subset 165 are aligned with the egg holders 142 of the subset 145 and the transfer device 106 has reached a speed of 0 m / s.

[0087] Next, the eggs 10 may fall from the egg holders 162 of the transfer device 106 into the egg holders 142 of the first conveyor 104 while the subgroups 145 of the first conveyor 104 and the subgroups 165 of the transfer device 106 are stationary at least in the Y direction. Fig.15 This is shown in FIG. 1 . The first conveyor 104 may be stationary in the X direction, or the first conveyor may move at a low speed in the X direction. Thus, the speed of the first conveyor 104 can be controlled by the control device. When the subgroup 145 is aligned with the subgroup 165 of the transfer device 106 in the X direction and the Y direction, the eggs 10 fall from the transfer device 106 into the subgroup 145 of the first conveyor 104.

[0088] exist Fig.15 This situation is shown in .

[0089] When the eggs have been received in the egg holders 142 of the first conveyor 104, the transfer device 106 may be accelerated to a speed v that is consistent with the speed of the second conveyor 105. y The corresponding speed v y At the same time, new eggs 10 are supplied by the second conveyor 105, ready to fall into the egg holders 162 of the transfer device 106. The eggs 10 in the subgroup 145 of the first conveyor 104 are moved in the X direction, and the empty egg holders 142 are moved into position, thereby achieving Fig.12state and a new cycle can be started.

[0090] exist Fig.16 A conveyor assembly 201 is schematically shown in FIG. Figure 4 1. Therefore, Figures 16 to 20 Zhongyu Figures 4 to 11 For describing the components and configuration of the conveyor assembly, refer to Figures 1 to 11 of the above description.

[0091] In this conveyor assembly 201, the difference from the conveyor assembly 1 is that the transfer conveyor 6 and the second conveyor 5 are capable of moving the respective subgroups 65 and 55 of the egg holders 62, 52 upwards to bring the respective subgroups of the egg holders closer to the egg holders of the first conveyor 4 and the transfer conveyor 6, respectively. Thus, the influence of the free fall acceleration can be reduced, and the cycle time can be reduced.

[0092] exist Fig.16 4 shows how the subgroup 65 of the egg holders 62 of the transfer device 6 is aligned with the egg holders 42 of the first conveyor 4 holding eggs 10. In this state, the conveyor of the transfer device 6 is stationary. The subgroup 65 of the egg holders 62 rises and is closer to the suspended eggs 10. Fig.17 1 and 2. The egg 10 is shown falling and dropping into the egg holder 62 of the transfer device 6. By having the egg holders 62 of the subgroup 65 upward, the drop height and therefore the drop time are reduced.

[0093] Next, the transfer device 6 is accelerated to a speed v corresponding to the speed of the second conveyor 5. y As in Fig.18 As can be seen in FIG, the egg holders 62 of the subgroup 65 are lowered to the normal height level again. The subgroup 55 of egg holders 52 of the second conveyor 5 moves upwards and closer to the bottom side of the egg holders 62 of the transfer device 6. The drop height and therefore the drop time are thereby reduced. Fig.18 This state is shown in Fig.19 4 shows a state where the eggs 10 are received in the egg holders 52 of the second conveyor 5 .

[0094] exist Fig. 20 6 shows the state in which the egg holders 62 of the subgroup 65 have moved down again to the normal height level. At the same time, the transfer device 6 slows down to a standstill. The first conveyor 4 has a new group of eggs 10 ready and aligned with the new subgroup of egg holders 62 of the transfer device 6. Thus, Fig. 20 The state corresponds to Fig.16 state, and a new cycle begins.

[0095] exist FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C Schematically shows how the egg holder 52 or 62 can be relative to the center position ( Fig.26B )up( Fig.26A ) or down ( Fig.26C ). The egg holder 62 may be connected to the chain 260 via a parallelogram structure 261 .

[0096] exist Fig.21 and Fig. 22 4 and 5 respectively show an egg holder 42, which can be used in an annular conveyor, for example, in the first conveyor 4 described above. The egg holder 42 includes a load-bearing portion 421. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As best seen in FIG. 4 , carrier 421 is a rigid component that can be connected to the same carrier at both the front and rear ends.

[0097] The pocket 422 is arranged in the carrier portion 421. The pocket 422 is flexible and comprises a plurality of finger elements 423. In the example shown in the drawings, the pocket 422 has six finger elements 423. The finger elements 423 extend from the upper side 425 of the egg holder toward the lower side 426 and converge toward each other from the upper side 425 toward the lower side 426 to form a tapered egg receiving space 424, see Fig.25A The finger-like elements 423 are flexible and adapted to yield when pressure is applied to the finger-like elements by an egg received in the pocket 422 .

[0098] The flexible finger elements 423 each have a tip 423A at the lower end. The tips 423A of the flexible finger elements 423 are not connected to each other or to another component, so that if the egg 10 is pressed into the pocket 422, the flexible finger elements 423 can be elastically deformed and expanded apart to a predetermined extent to increase the egg receiving space 424. The flexible finger elements 423 have upper ends connected to each other by an annular body 428. Preferably, the annular body 428 and the finger elements 423 are made as one body.

[0099] The pocket 422 has an opening 427 formed by the space between two of the finger-like elements 423. Fig.21 as well as FIG. 24A to FIG. 24CAs shown in , the egg holder 42 includes a clamping member 430 that extends and can be moved through the opening 427 to engage the egg in the bag. The movable clamping member 430 is pivotally connected to the load-bearing portion 421. The clamping member 430 is constructed as a pivotable claw having a parallel pivot axis at a pivot 431. Each of the claws has two clamping fingers 432. Each claw can have an associated biasing member to bias the claw to an open position or a closed position. The biasing member can be a spring (e.g., a coil spring) 434, the longitudinal axis of which is coaxial with the pivot axis of the claw, and the spring 434 has one end 434A that engages the claw and another end 434B that engages the load-bearing portion 421. In Fig. 22 and Fig.23 Spring 434 is shown in FIG.

[0100] The egg holder 42 also includes a stop member 433. In one embodiment, the stop member 433 is part of the load-bearing portion 421. Fig.25A and Fig.25B As can be seen in the figure, the stop member 433 is located near the tip 423A of the finger-like element 423. The stop member 433 is arranged and configured to limit the extent of the expansion and separation of the finger-like element 423. Therefore, the stop member 433 ensures that the egg cannot leak out through the bottom side of the pocket 422.

Claims

1. An egg conveyor assembly, the egg conveyor assembly comprising: - a first conveyor comprising a first ring-shaped element and a plurality of lanes of first egg holders, said plurality of lanes of first egg holders being connected to said first ring-shaped element and extending in a first conveyor direction (X), a second conveyor, which is arranged at a lower height level than the first conveyor and comprises a second ring-shaped element and at least one lane of second egg holders, the at least one lane of second egg holders being connected to the second ring-shaped element and extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) transverse to the first conveyor direction (X), a transfer device arranged at a height level between the first conveyor and the second conveyor and adapted to transfer eggs from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and comprising an egg transfer holder adapted to receive eggs from the first conveyor from above the egg transfer holder and to release the eggs in the second egg holder of the second conveyor, It is characterized in that the transfer device comprising a transfer conveyor comprising a third ring-shaped element and at least one lane of the egg transfer holder, the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder being connected to the third ring-shaped element and extending in the second conveyor direction (Y), wherein, in use, the second conveyor cycles the at least one lane of the second egg holder continuously and the transfer conveyor cycles the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder discontinuously such that the lanes of the egg transfer holder of the transfer device are substantially stationary when receiving eggs from the first conveyor and such that the lanes of the egg transfer holder of the transfer device move substantially synchronously with the lanes of the second egg holder of the second conveyor when dropping eggs into the second egg holder of the second conveyor, Wherein, the second conveyor and the transfer device are arranged so that the second conveyor and the transfer device have as follows: in the at least one section, the circulating lanes of the second conveyor and the circulating lanes of the transfer conveyor run in parallel and one above the other, in which section the transfer device releases eggs in the second egg holder of the second conveyor.

2. The egg conveyor assembly of claim 1, wherein: The transfer device is suitable for cyclic operation, wherein, in each cycle, a group of eggs is received by the subgroup of the egg transfer holders from the first conveyor and falls from the subgroup of the egg transfer holders into the subgroup of the second egg holders, and wherein the subgroups of the second egg holders are directly behind one another, i.e. there are no empty second egg holders between the subgroups of the second egg holders, and a plurality of groups of eggs in a continuous cycle fall from the egg transfer holders into the subgroups of the second egg holders.

3. The egg conveyor assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first conveyor discontinuously cycles the plurality of lanes of the first egg holders.

4. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first conveyor continuously circulates the plurality of lanes of the first egg holders at a speed lower than a speed of the second conveyor.

5. The egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second conveyor circulates the at least one lane of the second egg holder in a horizontal plane.

6. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first conveyor circulates the plurality of lanes of the first egg holders in a vertical plane.

7. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first conveyor includes a rotating wheel about which the first egg holder is rotated from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation, and wherein the first egg holder includes a pocket having a gripping device to hold an egg when the first egg holder is in the inverted orientation.

8. The egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The transfer device circulates the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder in a horizontal plane.

9. The egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second endless element of the second conveyor is driven by an AC motor with frequency control.

10. The egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The third annular element of the transfer device is driven by a servomotor.

11. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The egg transfer holders of the transfer device each include a pocket having a holding state in which an egg can be received from above and held, and a release state in which an egg can be discharged from a bottom side of the pocket.

12. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second conveyor has one lane or multiple parallel lanes of the second egg holders.

13. The egg conveyor assembly of claim 12, wherein: The transfer device has lanes of the egg transfer holders corresponding to the number of the second conveyors.

14. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second conveyor has an elliptical path.

15. The egg conveyor assembly of claim 14, wherein: The transfer device has an elliptical path that is shorter than the elliptical path of the second conveyor.

16. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first conveyor has a plurality of lanes forming transverse rows of the first egg holders and is adapted to simultaneously drop a row of eggs into the egg transfer holders of the transfer device.

17. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The egg transfer holder of the transfer device is movable in a height direction so that the egg transfer holder of the transfer device is selectively directed toward the first egg holder of the first conveyor to receive eggs from the first egg holder of the first conveyor, and / or so that the egg transfer holder of the transfer device is selectively directed toward the second egg holder of the second conveyor to drop eggs into the second egg holder of the second conveyor.

18. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second egg holder of the second conveyor is movable in a height direction so that the second egg holder of the second conveyor is selectively directed toward the egg transfer holder of the transfer device to receive eggs from the egg transfer holder of the transfer device.

19. An egg conveyor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first egg holder of the first conveyor is movable in a height direction so that the first egg holder of the first conveyor is selectively directed toward the egg transfer holder of the transfer device so that an egg falls into the egg transfer holder of the transfer device.

20. The egg conveyor assembly of claim 12, wherein: The second conveyor has two, three or four parallel lanes of the second egg holders.

21. An egg conveyor assembly, the egg conveyor assembly comprising: - a first conveyor comprising a first ring-shaped element and a plurality of lanes of first egg holders, said plurality of lanes of first egg holders being connected to said first ring-shaped element and extending in a first conveyor direction (X), a second conveyor, which is arranged at a higher height level than the first conveyor and comprises a second ring-shaped element and at least one lane of second egg holders, the at least one lane of second egg holders being connected to the second ring-shaped element and extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) transverse to the first conveyor direction (X), a transfer device arranged at a height level between the first conveyor and the second conveyor and adapted to transfer eggs from the second conveyor to the first conveyor and comprising an egg transfer holder adapted to receive eggs from the second conveyor from above the egg transfer holder and to release eggs in the first egg holder of the first conveyor, It is characterized in that the transfer device comprising a transfer conveyor comprising a third ring-shaped element and at least one lane of the egg transfer holder, the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder being connected to the third ring-shaped element and extending in the second conveyor direction (Y), wherein, in use, the second conveyor circulates the at least one lane of the second egg holder continuously and the transfer conveyor circulates the at least one lane of the egg transfer holder discontinuously, such that when an egg is received in the second egg holder of the second conveyor, the lane of the egg transfer holder of the transfer device moves synchronously with the lane of the second egg holder of the second conveyor and such that when an egg is dropped into the first egg holder of the first conveyor, the lane of the egg transfer holder of the transfer device is stationary.

22. An egg holder for an egg conveyor, the egg holder comprising a pocket for receiving an egg from above, and a movable clamping member arranged in the pocket and movable between an open position and a closed position, in which the egg can be received in or released from the pocket, and in which the movable clamping member engages on the egg in the pocket to retain the egg in the pocket.

23. The egg holder of claim 22, further comprising a rigid load bearing portion connectable to an endless conveyor, wherein: The pocket is arranged in the rigid carrier portion, and wherein the pocket is flexible to cushion an egg dropped into the egg holder from above.

24. The egg holder of claim 23, wherein: The movable clamping member is pivotably connected to the rigid carrier portion.

25. An egg holder according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein The pockets converge from an upper side of the pockets toward a lower side of the pockets to form a conical egg receiving space.

26. The egg holder of claim 25, wherein: The pocket is formed by a flexible element extending from an upper side toward a lower side of the egg holder, and wherein the flexible element converges from the upper side toward the lower side to form the tapered egg receiving space.

27. The egg holder of claim 26, wherein: The pockets are formed by flexible finger-like elements.

28. The egg holder of claim 27, wherein: The flexible finger elements each have a tip at the lower end, and the tips of the flexible finger elements are free, i.e. not connected to each other or to another component, so that if an egg is pressed into the pocket, the flexible finger elements can elastically expand apart to a predetermined extent to increase the egg receiving space.

29. An egg holder according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein: The pocket has an opening, and wherein the movable gripping member is extendable or movable through the opening to engage an egg in the pocket.

30. The egg holder of claim 29, wherein: The pocket is formed by flexible finger-like elements, and each of the openings is formed by a space between two of the flexible finger-like elements.

31. The egg holder of claim 28, wherein: The flexible elements have upper ends, wherein the upper ends of the flexible elements are connected to each other via an annular body.

32. The egg holder of claim 31, wherein: The annular body and the flexible finger-like elements are formed as an integral body constituting the bag.

33. An egg holder according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein: The bag portion is made of plastic material.

34. An egg holder according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein: The movable clamping members are configured as pivotable jaws having parallel pivot axes.

35. The egg holder of claim 34, wherein: Each pivotable jaw has an associated biasing member to bias the pivotable jaw into an open position or a closed position.

36. The egg holder of claim 34, wherein: Each of the pivotable jaws has two clamping fingers.

37. The egg holder of claim 33, wherein: The bag is made of polyamide (PA).

38. An egg conveyor comprising an egg holder according to any one of claims 22 to 37 coupled to an annular element.

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