Egg collecting machine

Abstract

The structure of the rolling mechanism for tilting a portion of the track of a pair of endless chains from the vertical direction comprises: a pair of movable sprockets (25); a guide hole (35) provided through a pair of side walls (31) in the horizontal direction; an operating lever comprising a pair of first arms (11A) respectively mounted relative to the side walls so as to be rotatable around a first axis (P1) and a connecting arm (11B) connecting the first arms; a pair of second arms (12) each of which is connected at one end side to the first arm so as to be rotatable around a second axis (P2) and at the other end side is connected to a rotating shaft portion via the guide hole and rotates around a third axis (P3) serving as the central axis of the rotating shaft portion; and a pair of guide sprockets for guiding the track of the endless chain in the vertical direction at least at a position lower than the movable sprocket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an egg collecting machine used in chicken raising facilities. Background Art

[0002] In poultry farms that raise large numbers of chickens and produce eggs, multiple cages are stacked horizontally in rows, and an egg collector is installed adjacent to this multi-layered cage structure. The egg collector receives and collects eggs from multiple retrieval conveyors arranged along the cage rows, and then places the eggs on a transfer conveyor. This transfer conveyor transports the eggs to a downstream processing facility for processing such as washing and packaging.

[0003] The egg collector has multiple loading units fixed at regular intervals between a pair of endless chains. Each endless chain is wound around a pair of sprockets spaced apart from each other. As the endless chains circulate through the egg collector, the loading units are transported vertically, and during this process, the eggs roll onto a transfer conveyor.

[0004] Some chicken farms equipped with such equipment have multiple downstream processing sites, and there is a need to switch the destination of eggs to any of these downstream processing sites. For example, if different types of chickens are kept in each cage row, different types of eggs are packaged at different downstream processing sites. Alternatively, in order to perform maintenance at one of the multiple downstream processing sites, it is desirable to transfer eggs to another downstream processing site. In such cases, it would be convenient to provide transfer conveyors for each of the multiple downstream processing sites, and to switch the conveyor that delivers the eggs from the egg collection machine to any of the multiple transfer conveyors.

[0005] Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed an egg collecting machine capable of switching the transfer conveyor from which eggs are rolled out to any of a plurality of transfer conveyors (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these proposals, the plurality of transfer conveyors are adjacent to the egg collecting machine, separated from each other in a vertical direction. Furthermore, the egg collecting machine, at positions corresponding to the plurality of transfer conveyors, moves a pair of roll-out sprockets, each meshed with an endless chain, horizontally toward the transfer conveyor to which the eggs are to be rolled out. This causes a portion of the track of the pair of endless chains to tilt relative to the vertical direction, and the loading section to tilt in this portion, thereby causing the eggs to roll out toward the transfer conveyor.

[0006] In the above proposal, no specific mechanism for moving the pair of rolling sprockets in the horizontal direction is disclosed. In actual field, it is required to realize a mechanism that can easily move the rolling sprockets in the horizontal direction with a small force.

[0007] Prior art documents

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3541118

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3584150 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an egg collecting machine having a mechanism capable of easily moving a pair of sprockets respectively engaged with a pair of endless chains circulating in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction with a small force.

[0013] Solutions to Problems

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the egg collecting machine of the present invention

[0015] "It comprises: a pair of endless chains circulating in the vertical direction; a plurality of loading portions supported between the pair of endless chains; and a rolling-out mechanism for tilting a portion of the track of the endless chains relative to the vertical direction in order to roll out the eggs loaded on the loading portions, characterized in that:

[0016] The rolling-out mechanism comprises:

[0017] A pair of movable sprockets are connected by a rotating shaft so as to rotate integrally;

[0018] A pair of side walls are respectively erected vertically from the installation surface so that the pair of endless chains are located between the pair of side walls;

[0019] A pair of guide holes are respectively provided through one side of the side wall in a horizontal direction;

[0020] The operating lever includes: a pair of first arm portions, each mounted to one of the side walls so as to be rotatable about a first axis; and a connecting arm portion connecting the pair of first arm portions at an end portion opposite to the first axis;

[0021] a pair of second arms, each having one end connected to the middle portion of the first arm portion so as to be rotatable about the second axis, and the other end connected to the rotating shaft portion via the guide hole, the pair of second arms being rotatable about a third axis, which is the central axis of the rotating shaft portion; and

[0022] A pair of guide sprockets are provided at least below the movable sprocket to guide the track of the endless chain in the vertical direction.

[0023] In the coupling mechanism of the above structure, when the first arm rotates about the first axis via the operating lever, the third axis moves along the horizontal guide hole via the second arm, which is connected to the first arm via the second axis. The third axis is the central axis of a pair of movable sprockets that rotate integrally via the rotating shaft. In other words, the movable sprocket can be moved horizontally by operating the operating lever. Furthermore, since the movable sprocket engages with the endless chain midway through its horizontal movement, it moves toward the end point of its movement while pushing against the endless chain. This allows the track of the meshing endless chain between the lower guide sprocket and the movable sprocket to tilt from the vertical.

[0024] This connection mechanism can be considered a second-type lever connection mechanism, with the first axis serving as a fulcrum, the point where force is applied to the operating lever serving as a force application point, and the second axis serving as a point of action. The length of the first arm, the distance between the first and second axes within the first arm, the connection position between the first arm and the connecting arm, the distance between the second axis, and the length of the connecting arm offer a high degree of flexibility in setting the point of action closer to the fulcrum than the force application point. Consequently, the second arm can be easily rotated about the second axis with minimal force, and the movable sprocket can be easily moved horizontally by the second arm.

[0025] In the first arm portion, the “middle portion” where the second shaft is provided does not refer to the exact center of the first arm portion, but rather refers to a position between the end portion on the first shaft side and the end portion on the opposite side.

[0026] The egg collecting machine of the present invention can be formed into

[0027] "When the first arm portion is rotated about the first axis by pressing the operating lever, the end portion of the guide hole on the side where the third axis moves is bent downward."

[0028] In this structure, the guide hole curves downward at the end of the third shaft where the operating lever has moved its maximum horizontal position. Therefore, when the second arm is rotated about the second axis from this position, the end of the third shaft can be positioned within the curved portion of the guide hole. This interference between the curved portion of the guide hole and the second arm prevents the third shaft from returning to its original position along the horizontal portion of the guide hole, thereby fixing the position of the movable sprocket.

[0029] The egg collecting machine of the present invention can be formed into

[0030] "The egg collecting machine further includes a chain stopper that moves forward and backward relative to the endless chain, engages with the endless chain when moving forward, and releases the engagement when moving backward."

[0031] In this structure, the chain stopper is advanced to engage with the endless chain, thereby preventing the endless chain from rotating. Therefore, the endless chain does not move unexpectedly, and the operation of moving the movable sprocket in the horizontal direction can be performed stably and efficiently.

[0032] Effects of the Invention

[0033] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an egg collecting machine including a mechanism capable of easily moving a pair of sprockets respectively meshed with a pair of endless chains circulating in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction with a small force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a rolling-out mechanism of an egg collecting machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial three-dimensional diagram of the roll-out mechanism.

[0036] Figure 3 (a)~ Figure 3 (d) is a description Figure 1 Diagram of the action of the roll-out mechanism.

[0037] Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 (c) is a diagram illustrating switching of the transfer conveyors to the destinations where the eggs are rolled out, in a case where a plurality of transfer conveyors are installed adjacent to the egg collecting machine.

[0038] Figure 5 (a)~ Figure 5 (c) is a diagram illustrating the structure and operation of the chain stopper.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating how an egg rolls out when the track of the endless chain is tilted from the vertical direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, an egg collecting machine 1 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] A chicken farm equipped with an egg collector 1 is a facility that raises multiple chickens and produces eggs. The chicken farm includes a multi-layer cage structure (not shown) formed by stacking multiple layers of cages in a row arranged horizontally. With the length of the cage row defined as the longitudinal direction, the egg collector 1 is positioned adjacent to one longitudinal end of the multi-layer cage structure. If the chicken farm has multiple multi-layer cage structures, an egg collector 1 is installed for each multi-layer cage structure.

[0042] The egg collecting machine 1 has a plurality of loading sections 22 fixed at regular intervals between a pair of endless chains 21. Each endless chain 21 is wound around a pair of sprockets (not shown) spaced apart vertically and circulates in a vertical direction. That is, the egg collecting machine 1 includes two pairs of sprockets spaced apart vertically.

[0043] The egg collecting machine 1 includes a housing that rotatably supports two pairs of sprockets, each with a pair of endless chains 21 wound around it. The housing also supports a drive mechanism (not shown) including a motor that rotationally drives the endless chains 21. Although not shown in detail, the housing includes a pair of side walls 31 extending vertically from the installation surface. The pair of endless chains 21 are positioned in the space between these side walls 31. The endless chains 21 circulate along the surfaces of the side walls 31.

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, the loading sections 22 each include a first rod 22a and a second rod 22b, each mounted between a pair of endless chains 21. Eggs E are loaded onto the loading section 22, with a portion of the egg E exposed from the space between the first rod 22a and the second rod 22b. More specifically, each loading section 22 includes a pair of base rods 22e and two long side rods 22f, each secured to each end of the base rod 22e and forming an isosceles triangle with the base rod 22e. By securing the base rods 22e to the endless chains 21, one end of the pair is secured to one side of the endless chain 21, while the other end of the pair is secured to the other side of the endless chain 21. Furthermore, the first rod 22a connects one end of each pair of base rods 22e. The second rod 22b connects the vertices of the isosceles triangles in each pair.

[0045] In the egg collecting machine 1, a pair of endless chains 21 circulate, allowing a loading section 22 to move vertically. Meanwhile, within the multi-layer cage structure, a collection conveyor is horizontally positioned for each cage row. The collection conveyor's conveyor path extends horizontally along the cage rows, transporting eggs from the chickens to the egg collecting machine 1. The loading section 22, which moves as the pair of endless chains 21 circulate, receives eggs from one of the collection conveyors during its upward movement and transports them while still loaded with them.

[0046] Multiple transfer conveyors 50 are adjacently arranged on the egg collector 1. These multiple transfer conveyors 50 transfer eggs to different downstream processing sites and are located adjacent to the egg collector 1, with their respective conveying surfaces separated vertically. In this embodiment, since the loading section 22 loads eggs while the endless chain 21 is ascending, the lowest transfer conveyor 50 is positioned above the highest return conveyor. Furthermore, if the loading section 22 is capable of loading eggs both when the endless chain 21 is ascending and descending, the transfer conveyor 50 can be located adjacent to the egg collector on the side opposite to the side adjacent to the return conveyor.

[0047] Hereinafter, in the egg collecting machine 1, the side adjacent to the transfer conveyor 50 is referred to as "side A," and the opposite side is referred to as "side B." In the egg collecting machine 1 of this embodiment, a pair of endless chains 21 circulating in the vertical direction are driven to rise on the side A.

[0048] The egg collecting machine 1 is equipped with an equal number of roll-out mechanisms 10 at heights corresponding to the respective transfer conveyors 50. The roll-out mechanisms 10 horizontally move the movable sprocket 25, which is engaged with the endless chain 21, so as to approach the transfer conveyors 50. A portion of the track of the endless chain 21, which circulates in the vertical direction, is tilted relative to the vertical direction.

[0049] Main Use Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the roll-out mechanism 10 will be described. In addition to a pair of movable sprockets 25, the roll-out mechanism 10 includes an operating lever 11, a pair of second arms 12, and guide holes 35 provided in a pair of side walls 31. The operating lever 11 in this embodiment is composed of a pair of first arms 11A and a connecting arm 11B. Here, the first arm 11A corresponds to the "first arm portion" of the present invention, and the connecting arm 11B corresponds to the "connecting arm portion" of the present invention.

[0050] The first arm 11A is mounted on one side of the side wall 31 so as to be rotatable about the first axis P1. Specifically, a pin (not shown) is passed through a hole 31a formed in the side wall 31 and a hole 11e formed at one end of the first arm 11A, thereby allowing the first arm 11A to rotate about the first axis P1, which serves as the axis of the pin.

[0051] The connecting arm 11B connects the pair of first arms 11A so that they can rotate integrally about the first axis P1. The connecting arm 11B is formed by bending both sides of a slender plate in the same direction at right angles, with two bent portions 11g fixed to the ends of the first arm 11A opposite the first axis P1. Specifically, the connecting arm 11B is secured to the first arm 11A by tightening nuts through bolts inserted through multiple holes in the bent portion 11g of the connecting arm 11B and multiple holes in the end of the first arm 11A. Alternatively, the connecting arm 11B and the first arm 11A may be welded for secure attachment. By integrating the connecting arm 11B and the first arm 11A, the operating lever 11 is formed.

[0052] The middle portion 11h of the connecting arm 11B, which has curved portions 11g at both ends, is the portion grasped by the operator. To prevent this middle portion 11h from interfering with the pair of side walls 31, the axial direction of the curved portion 11g of the connecting arm 11B is tilted relative to the direction in which the first arm 11A extends. This tilt is toward the A side.

[0053] In operating lever 11, the length from the boundary between curved portion 11g and intermediate portion 11h to second axis P2 is set to be significantly longer than the length from first axis P1 to second axis P2. Therefore, when operating lever 11 is considered a second-type lever, the distance from the point of application to the point of force application is set to be significantly longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the point of application.

[0054] The movable sprocket 25 has teeth of a specific pitch that mesh with the endless chain 21. The central axes of the pair of movable sprockets 25 are connected by a rotating shaft portion 25p, and the pair rotates integrally about a third axis P3, which serves as the central axis of the movable sprockets 25 and the rotating shaft portion 25p. The pair of movable sprockets 25 are positioned between the pair of side walls 31. Furthermore, a plurality of flat auxiliary plates 25d protrude radially from the rotating shaft portion 25p. The plurality of auxiliary plates 25d are arranged at equal angular intervals relative to the third axis P3. Here, two auxiliary plates 25d are illustrated.

[0055] The pair of guide holes 35 are respectively formed through the side wall 31 at the same height and extend the same length in the horizontal direction. The guide holes 35 of this embodiment are bent downward at one end. The end that is bent is the end on the A side.

[0056] The pair of second arms 12 are each connected to the first arm 11A at one end so as to be rotatable about the second axis P2. Specifically, a pin (not shown) is inserted through a hole 12f provided through one end of the second arm 12 and a hole 11f provided through the first arm 11A, allowing the second arm 12 to rotate about the second axis P2, which serves as the axis of the pin. The hole 11f is located between the end of the first arm 11A on the first axis P1 side and the end opposite thereto. In this case, the hole is approximately halfway from the first axis P1 to the length of the first arm 11A.

[0057] Each second arm 12 is attached to the rotating shaft portion 25p via a guide hole 35 at the end opposite the second axis P2. Specifically, a pin (not shown) extending through a hole 12P provided at the end opposite the second axis P2 is passed through the guide hole 35 and then attached to the end of the rotating shaft portion 25p. This pin rotates integrally with the rotating shaft portion 25p, but the second arm 12 is able to rotate relative to the pin. In other words, the second arm 12 rotates about the third axis P3 at the end opposite the second axis P2, and the movable sprocket 25 is able to rotate freely about the third axis P3.

[0058] The first and second arms 11A are provided on the outside of the side wall 31 (on the side opposite to the side wall 31 ) and on the opposite side of the side wall 31 .

[0059] Furthermore, when first arm 11A rotates about first axis P1, the portion of first arm 11A that is farther from first axis P1 and connecting arm 11B that is further away from first axis P1 rotate through a wide angle. Since resistance increases when this widely rotated portion abuts and slides against the surface of side wall 31, to prevent this, first arm 11A is bent between first axis P1 and second axis P2, with the side opposite to first axis P1 farther from side wall 31. Accordingly, second arm 12 is also bent midway, with the second axis P2 side farther from side wall 31 than the third axis P3 side.

[0060] In addition, the rolling mechanism 10 is provided with a guide sprocket 26 that meshes with the circulating endless chain 21 and guides the track of the endless chain 21 in the vertical direction. At least one pair of guide sprockets 26 is provided in each rolling mechanism 10 and is provided below the movable sprocket 25 (see Figure 6 ).

[0061] Next, we mainly use Figure 3 and Figure 6 The operation of the roll-out mechanism 10 of the above structure, the change of the track of the endless chain 21 and the rolling out of the eggs will be described. Since the operation of each of the plurality of roll-out mechanisms 10 is the same, one roll-out mechanism 10 will be described here.

[0062] First, when the rolling mechanism 10 is not in operation, the third axis P3 is located at the end portion on the B side in the guide hole 35 (see FIG. Figure 3 (a) In this state, the movable sprocket 25 is not engaged with the endless chain 21 whose track is in the vertical direction and is isolated.

[0063] When the middle portion 11h of the connecting arm 11B is gripped and the operating lever 11 is tilted toward the A side, the first arm 11A integrated with the connecting arm 11B rotates about the first axis P1. Since the second arm 12 is connected to the first arm 11A via the second axis P2, the force of the rotation about the first axis P1 also acts on the second arm 12. However, the second arm 12 is connected to the rotating shaft portion 25p of the movable sprocket 25 via the third axis P3, and the movement of the third axis P3 is restricted by the guide hole 35. Therefore, as the first arm 11A rotates about the first axis P1, the second arm 12 rotates about the second axis P2 on one end side and about the third axis P3 on the other end side, and the third axis P3 moves horizontally toward the A side along the guide hole 35. Subsequently, the movable sprocket 25 with the third axis P3 as the center axis moves toward the B side (refer to Figure 3 (b)).

[0064] When the operating rod 11 further tilts toward the A side, as the first arm 11A further rotates about the first axis P1, the third axis P3 moves along the guide hole 35 together with the second arm 12 rotating about the second axis P2 and the third axis P3, and reaches the end of the A side (see FIG. Figure 3 (c) During this movement, the movable sprocket 25 engages with the endless chain 21 whose track is in the vertical direction, and moves while pushing the endless chain 21 toward the A side.

[0065] Since the end of the guide hole 35 on the A side is bent downward, when the third axis P3 reaches the end on the A side, the second arm 12 is rotated downward about the second axis P2 while the third axis P3 is pressed down so that it falls into the bent portion of the guide hole 35. The interference between the bent portion of the guide hole 35 and the second arm 12 acts as a stopper, preventing the third axis P3 from returning to the B side and fixing the position of the movable sprocket 25 (see Figure 3 (d)).

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the track of the endless chain 21 rising on the A side is vertical until the guide sprocket 26 located below the movable sprocket 25. When the track of the endless chain 21 is vertical, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 The loading section 22 stably holds the eggs E, as shown in FIG. By operating the operating lever 11, the movable sprocket 25 moves toward side A, and the track of the endless chain 21 between the guide sprocket 26 and the movable sprocket 25 tilts toward side A. As a result, the loading section 22 tilts downward in this portion, causing the loaded eggs E to roll out onto the transfer conveyor 50. The transfer conveyor 50 includes a guide plate 59 extending toward the egg collecting machine 1, which guides the eggs E that have rolled out of the loading section 22 onto the conveying surface of the transfer conveyor 50.

[0067] In addition, an auxiliary plate 25d protrudes from the rotating shaft portion 25p and rotates together with the movable sprocket 25. Therefore, even if there is an egg E that is not rolled out due to being placed unstably on the downwardly inclined loading portion 22, the rotating auxiliary plate 25d can contact the egg E from above to assist in rolling out the egg E. The number of such auxiliary plates 25d is set to match the number of loading portions 22 that pass between the guide sprocket 26 and the movable sprocket 25 during one rotation of the movable sprocket 25. Figure 6 The illustration of the rolling-out mechanism 10 is omitted.

[0068] Next, the operation of switching the transfer conveyor 50 as the destination of the eggs from the egg collecting machine 1 will be described when a plurality of transfer conveyors 50 are provided for each egg collecting machine 1. Figure 4 As an example, three transfer conveyors 50 are installed adjacent to a single egg collector 1. The three transfer conveyors 50 are separated vertically. Furthermore, the egg collector 1 is provided with the same number of roll-out mechanisms 10 as for each transfer conveyor 50. The roll-out mechanisms 10 are arranged so that the height of the guide holes 35 is slightly higher than the conveying surface of the transfer conveyors 50.

[0069] In addition, the egg collecting machine 1 is provided with a chain stopper 40 which moves forward and backward relative to the endless chain 21 and engages with the endless chain 21 when the machine is moving forward. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the chain stopper 40 includes a base 41 supported between the pair of side walls 31 and a slider 42 that slides relative to the base 41 . Figure 4 , the chain stopper 40 is shown as being arranged below the lowermost transfer conveyor 50, but the present invention is not limited to this position.

[0070] A groove 41g is formed on the base 41 to guide the sliding of the sliding body 42 in the horizontal direction. The sliding body 42 has a plurality of teeth 43 arranged in the vertical direction at one end in the horizontal direction. These teeth 43 are arranged at a pitch that meshes with the endless chain 21. A plurality of long holes 45 that are longer in the horizontal direction are provided through the sliding body 42, and the same number of bolts 46 protrude from the base 41 corresponding to the positions of the long holes 45. Thus, when each bolt 46 is inserted into the long hole 45, the sliding body 42 slides in the horizontal direction within the length range of the long hole 45. If the nut 47 is tightened on the portion of the bolt 46 that protrudes from the surface of the sliding body 42, the position of the sliding body 42 relative to the base 41 is fixed. A pad 48 is sandwiched between the nut 47 and the sliding body 42. In the egg collecting machine 1, when a pair of endless chains 21 are circulating, as shown Figure 5 As shown in (a), the chain stopper 40 is retracted in advance.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown in (a), when the eggs are rolled out from the transfer conveyor 50 at the bottom layer and the destination of the eggs is switched to another transfer conveyor 50, first, the drive of the endless chain 21 is stopped. Figure 3 (d) As described above, the bottom rolling mechanism 10 is in a state where the movable sprocket 25 moves to the maximum extent toward the A side and its position is fixed. On the other hand, the other two rolling mechanisms 10 are Figure 3 (a) is a state in which the movable sprocket 25 is moved to the B side to the maximum extent.

[0072] In this state, the nut 47 and the spacer 48 are removed from the bolt 46 of the chain stopper 40, and the slider 42 is advanced. Figure 5 As shown in (b), the teeth 43 are engaged with the endless chain 21. By tightening the nut 47 to the bolt 46 via the spacer 48, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (c), the position of the slider 42 engaged with the endless chain 21 is fixed, thereby preventing the endless chain 21 from rotating.

[0073] Then, for the roll-out mechanism 10 at the bottom, by pushing up the operating lever 11, Figure 3 (c) Figure 3(b) status, return to Figure 3 (a) Status.

[0074] Next, the rolling mechanism 10 corresponding to the height of the transfer conveyor 50 that is the new destination for rolling out the eggs is actuated. For example, when the transfer conveyor 50 in the middle is the destination for rolling out, Figure 4 As shown in (b), the middle roll-out mechanism 10 is activated to move the movable sprocket 25 toward side A. Since the endless chain 21 is prevented from rotating by the chain stopper 40, the operation of engaging the endless chain 21 and moving the movable sprocket 25 horizontally can be performed stably and efficiently.

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown in (d), after fixing the position of the movable sprocket 25, the chain stopper 40 is retracted to release the meshing of the teeth 43 and the endless chain 21. If the endless chain 21 is driven in this state, the eggs are rolled out from the egg collecting machine 1 to the transfer conveyor 50 in the middle layer. Similarly, when the transfer conveyor 50 on the top layer is used as the rolling destination of the eggs, Figure 4 As shown in (c), in the topmost rolling-out mechanism 10, the movable sprocket 25 is moved to the A side.

[0076] In this manner, when switching the transfer conveyor 50 to the destination where the eggs are rolled out, the following procedures are performed.

[0077] (1) Stop driving the endless chain 21.

[0078] (2) The chain stopper 40 is advanced to stop the endless chain 21 from rotating.

[0079] (3) The movable sprocket 25 is moved to the B side by the operation of the rolling mechanism 10 corresponding to the transfer conveyor 50 which is the current rolling destination of the eggs.

[0080] (4) The movable sprocket 25 is moved to the A side by the operation of the roll-out mechanism 10 corresponding to the transfer conveyor 50 that has newly become the destination for rolling out the eggs.

[0081] (5) The chain stopper 40 is retracted to drive the endless chain 21 to rotate.

[0082] In addition, Figure 4(a) to 4(c) illustrate a case where guide sprockets 26 are provided below and above the movable sprocket 25 in a single roll-out mechanism 10. The lower guide sprocket 26 maintains the track of the ascending endless chain 21 in the vertical direction until it approaches the movable sprocket 25, which is moving horizontally. The upper guide sprocket 26 returns the track of the endless chain 21, which has passed the movable sprocket 25 on an inclined track, in the vertical direction. However, if the distance between the upper and lower separated transfer conveyors 50 is not large, the upper guide sprocket 26 can be omitted. This is because the lower guide sprocket 26 of the upper roll-out mechanism 10 performs the same function as the upper guide sprocket 26 of the lower roll-out mechanism 10. In addition, in the case of an egg collecting machine of the type that discharges eggs while the endless chain is rising, the loading portion 22 after passing the topmost movable sprocket 25 will not load eggs. Therefore, there is no problem even if the track of the endless chain 21 is tilted to the upper sprocket among the upper and lower sprockets that make the endless chain 21 circulate.

[0083] As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described by giving examples of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0084] For example, in the above embodiment, the roll-out mechanism 10 equipped with the movable sprocket 25 is provided in the egg collector 1 in the same number as the plurality of transfer conveyors 50, corresponding to the height of the transfer conveyors 50. This is not limiting; an egg collector can also be configured such that the movable sprocket 25 is not provided for the topmost transfer conveyor 50, but a sprocket is fixed to tilt the track of the endless chain 21. This is because, in an egg collector that discharges eggs as the endless chain ascends, any of the roll-out mechanisms 10 corresponding to the lower-level transfer conveyors 50 can roll the eggs onto the topmost transfer conveyor 50 without moving the movable sprocket 25 horizontally.

[0085] In the above description, the operating lever 11 is exemplified as being formed by integrating the first arm 11A and the connecting arm 11B. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a metal plate cut into a desired shape may be bent to form an integral operating lever.

Claims

1. An egg collecting machine comprising: a pair of endless chains circulating in a vertical direction; a plurality of loading sections supported between the pair of endless chains; and a rolling mechanism for tilting a portion of a track of the endless chains relative to the vertical direction in order to roll out eggs loaded on the loading sections, characterized in that: The rolling-out mechanism comprises: A pair of movable sprockets are connected by a rotating shaft so as to rotate integrally; A pair of side walls are respectively vertically arranged so that the pair of ring chains are located between the pair of side walls; A pair of guide holes are respectively provided through one side of the side wall in a horizontal direction; The operating lever comprises: a pair of first arm portions, each mounted on one side of the side wall so as to be rotatable about a first axis; and a connecting arm portion connecting the pair of first arm portions at end portions of the pair of first arm portions opposite to the first axis; a pair of second arms, each having one end connected to the middle portion of the first arm portion so as to be rotatable about the second axis, and having the other end connected to the rotating shaft portion via the guide hole, the pair of second arms being rotatable about a third axis being the central axis of the rotating shaft portion; as well as The pair of guide sprockets are provided at least below the movable sprocket and guide the track of the endless chain in the vertical direction.

2. The egg collecting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first arm portion is rotated about the first axis by pressing the operating lever, the end portion of the guide hole on the side where the third axis moves is bent downward.

3. The egg collecting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The egg collecting machine further includes a chain stopper that moves forward and backward relative to the endless chain, engages with the endless chain when in an advanced state, and releases the engagement when in a backward state.

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