Method and device for contactless inspection of chicken eggs

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for the automatic contactless examination of one or more chicken eggs. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: a) millimeter wave radio frequency signals are emitted by an emitter towards the chicken eggs; b) the millimeter wave radio frequency signals reflected by the chicken eggs are detected by means of a sensor (14), which is placed at a distance from the chicken eggs; c) the intensity of the reflected signals is analyzed depending on the distance traveled by the reflected millimeter wave radio frequency signals, and the radar echoes thus obtained are compared with one or more reference radar echoes each representing a state of a chicken egg, in order to deduce therefrom the current state of the chicken egg.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs placed in containers on a processing line.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing such inspection methods. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, in the poultry farming sector, especially in chick production, the optical properties of eggs are used to distinguish them and to bypass eggs that are considered unlikely to hatch or produce chicks during processing.

[0004] The latter is essentially an unfertilized egg or a fertilized egg in which the ovum embryo has died or is deformed.

[0005] This distinction is necessary to minimize vaccine loss during in-egg treatment (i.e., during injection of the egg through the shell with a vaccine needle) to promote post-hatching development and prevent disease. It is also necessary to avoid the explosion of rotten eggs, which could contaminate surrounding live eggs in the container and the injection materials used to inject them, thus posing a risk of contamination.

[0006] Note that the explosion of rotten eggs can also make a mess of the optical protective screens used in egg sorting, a process often referred to as "transmission inspection."

[0007] Currently, when certain eggs are kept illuminated, the dirt can negatively impact the quality of the inspection of these eggs' condition, or, in more severe cases, even hinder such inspection. Therefore, the machine used to perform transmissive inspection (called a transmissive inspection machine) must be stopped to ensure its cleanliness.

[0008] It was also observed that this transmissive inspection method is sensitive to the external environment, and light sources (such as sunlight or halogen lamps) may interfere with the measurement results obtained during the step of transmissive inspection of eggs contained in a basket.

[0009] This method is also sensitive to the dirtiness of the eggs being measured.

[0010] In addition, this type of transmissive inspection method only allows for low processing throughput.

[0011] In addition, methods for identifying eggs arranged upside down in a batch of eggs are known.

[0012] Such testing is necessary for eggs in an inverted position to ensure that the syringe needle remains oriented toward the air cell of the corresponding egg during the injection of vaccines or nutrients into the egg. Failure to do so may result in the embryo being damaged or even killed.

[0013] For example, a method in the prior art for identifying eggs arranged upside down in a batch of eggs involves heating the batch of eggs with a radiation source.

[0014] Then, the egg is thermally imaged while it is no longer exposed to the radiation source, and the captured thermal images are analyzed to detect the presence of hot zones and to identify eggs that are upside down or in an inverted position.

[0015] In fact, because the air cell in an egg acts as an insulator, the temperature of the shell surrounding the air cell rises when an egg is placed upside down and exposed to heat radiation. Conversely, when an egg is upright, the heat generated by exposing its shell to heat radiation dissipates into the liquid inside the egg, and thus the eggshell appears "cold."

[0016] However, such methods require a pre-heating step for the eggs, which is time-consuming and reduces the throughput that can be achieved on the processing line, typically not exceeding 70,000 eggs per hour.

[0017] Additionally, this preheating step is typically performed using a halogen flash lamp with a power greater than 3,000W or even 5,000W and above, to provide a detectable temperature rise in the shell of the inverted egg without significantly heating the rest of the egg. In fact, the temperature rise in the other parts of the egg (i.e., the yolk, amniotic fluid, and embryo) must remain negligible.

[0018] Currently, these light sources consume a significant amount of energy and are therefore expensive.

[0019] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method for inspecting eggs placed in a container, the original design of which enables the overcoming of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0020] The subject of this invention

[0021] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by proposing a method and apparatus for non-contact inspection of eggs placed in a container, which is simple in design and operation, cost-effective, and insensitive to the external environment or the cleanliness of the eggs to be measured.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is that such contactless inspection methods and apparatus allow for extremely high rates, and, as an example, rates exceeding 90,000 eggs per hour.

[0023] Another subject of the present invention is that such contactless inspection methods and devices are safer for the embryos of eggs and thus promote the hatching of these eggs to ensure a greater yield. Summary of the Invention

[0024] Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for non-contact inspection of eggs. According to the invention, the following steps are performed:

[0025] a) Transmit millimeter-wave radio frequency signals toward the egg via a transmitter;

[0026] b) Detecting millimeter-wave radio frequency signals reflected by the egg using a sensor placed at a certain distance from the egg;

[0027] c) Analyze the strength of the reflected signal based on the distance traveled by the reflected millimeter-wave radio frequency signal, and compare the radar echo thus obtained with one or more reference radar echoes, each representing a state of an egg, in order to deduce the current state of the egg.

[0028] This method is used for non-contact inspection of eggs in batches, containers, or trays. The original design of the method utilizes radar waves in the millimeter-wave frequency range, which allows for extremely high rates, typically greater than 90,000 eggs per hour and more.

[0029] This inspection method is also insensitive to the external environment, such as parasitic light, parasitic heat sources, or changes in ambient temperature.

[0030] Regardless of the cleanliness of the eggs being inspected, this inspection method allows for the determination of:

[0031] - Positioning eggs upright or upside down is reliable and quick; or

[0032] The determination of an egg's viability or inactivity requires incubation, as it is based on the detection of optional embryonic movement. This measurement is based on the measurement of low-level phase changes in the signal reflected by the embryo inside the egg. The measurement of phase fluctuations is based on the analysis of radar echoes integrated into the implemented sensor.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, the transmitter and sensor are positioned at the same distance from the egg by being arranged coaxially.

[0034] Alternatively, it is possible that the transmitter and sensor are not placed at the same distance from the target.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of an egg, the egg is in a fixed position determining a first end and a second end of the egg, the egg having an air cell that can be placed at either the first end or the second end, the end determining the inverted or upside-down arrangement of the egg when the air cell is placed at one of these ends, the position of the egg being detected to identify the possible inverted arrangement of the egg.

[0036] Alternatively, determine the indeterminate state of the egg being analyzed—whether it is alive or not—that is, unfertilized or dead, or determine that the egg does not exist.

[0037] Advantageously, then for each fertilized egg containing an embryo, it is necessary to determine whether the embryo is alive or dead, or deformed or too young for its age.

[0038] Such a state is then detected, which advantageously allows the corresponding egg to be ignored in the remaining processing of the container, particularly in the selective injection step of that egg.

[0039] If the tray recess or container is empty, the recess is bypassed during the remaining processing of the container.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, the egg is placed in a recess in a tray conveyed by a conveyor belt, and the transmitter is arranged such that the conveyor belt moves the egg below or above the transmitter, the transmitter being capable of emitting millimeter-wave radio frequency signals, the transmitter being centered or substantially centered on the recess where the egg to be analyzed is received.

[0041] Of course, and purely as an example, the first transmitter could be positioned above the egg, while the second transmitter could be positioned below the same egg, in order to collect the two radar echoes to be analyzed for more accurate measurements.

[0042] Millimeter waves correspond to the frequency range between 30 GHz and 300 GHz.

[0043] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, in step a), millimeter-wave radio frequency signals are transmitted in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, and even more preferably between 150 GHz and 300 GHz, and even more preferably between 200 GHz and 300 GHz.

[0044] Achieving high frequency improves measurement accuracy.

[0045] Alternatively, frequencies between 50 GHz and 70 GHz can be used, and preferably around 60 GHz.

[0046] These frequencies advantageously experience strong path attenuation proportional to the frequency. Furthermore, and advantageously, the 60 GHz frequency (0.5 mm wavelength) is rarely used, and it is not present in the environmental electromagnetic spectrum. No external contamination could potentially disrupt the resulting radar measurements.

[0047] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, in step a), a focused millimeter-wave beam is emitted onto the egg.

[0048] Preferably, a focusing lens is used, and even better, a convex lens is used. This convex lens can be advantageously obtained by three-dimensional printing.

[0049] Advantageously, the focusing lens is positioned relative to the transmitter such that the divergence of the millimeter-wave beam emitted by the transmitter is less than 10°, and even better strictly less than 8°, and preferably less than or equal to 6°.

[0050] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, the detection of millimeter-wave radio frequency signals reflected by the egg is performed without emitting millimeter-wave radio frequency signals toward the egg.

[0051] This avoids the mixing of the incident radio frequency signal and the radio frequency signal reflected by the egg.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, a sensor capable of operating during continuous firing can be provided, having an interferometric detection element for analyzing the delay and phase shift of radar echoes.

[0053] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, additional steps are performed to mark non-live and upside-down eggs and / or to reorient eggs that are arranged upside down.

[0054] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, in step c), data associated with a given container is processed, and the information obtained by the processing is stored and / or sent to a remote egg processing station (such as a device for delivering eggs via intraocular injection), such that the remote processing station receiving the container of eggs to be processed has the information necessary for its processing.

[0055] This ensures the continuity of processing for each container, with the next processing station on the high-throughput processing line having already received information from the contactless inspection device about the container to be processed before it was received.

[0056] According to another embodiment of this inspection method, the acquisition of radar echoes from the containers and the processing of data related to the radar echoes are performed in parallel, such that processing of data related to the radar echoes obtained for the first container is performed while radar echoes are acquired for the next adjacent container on the conveyor belt.

[0057] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, the tray is conveyed by a linear conveyor belt at a constant speed V.

[0058] In the case of translation of each container, especially translation at a constant speed on a straight conveyor belt, this has the advantage of avoiding bumps at high throughput, and the eggs remain stable in their respective container recesses, thus having optimal positioning for subsequent injection.

[0059] For example, this is a circular conveyor belt.

[0060] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, the trays are conveyed at a speed strictly greater than or equal to 1 m / min, and even better at 10 m / min, and even more preferably about 15 m / min, and these trays are spaced at a safe distance of at least d = 100 mm to ensure high throughput.

[0061] According to another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, during the measurement of the eggs contained in the container, the length of the container being measured is determined by means of a position sensor, the measured length of the container is compared with its actual length, and the absence or presence of unintentional movement of the container is determined during steps a) and / or b) of the non-contact inspection method.

[0062] Advantageously, the original design of this step allows for the simple and inexpensive detection of unintentional movement of containers conveyed by the conveyor belt, which could result in the loss of the accurate position of the conveyor belt when measuring the eggs being conveyed.

[0063] Preferably, the position sensor is arranged to detect the front and rear ends of a container moving on the conveyor belt, measure the time interval between the sensor's detection of the ends, and calculate the measured length of the container by multiplying the time interval by the product of the container's drive speed along the processing line.

[0064] Advantageously, the position sensor is arranged to detect those ends of the container as they pass right next to the sensor during the container's transport along the processing line.

[0065] Alternatively, the position sensor is arranged to detect the front and rear ends of a container moving on the conveyor belt, determine the number of encoder points that the sensor detects between these front and rear ends, and convert the number of encoder points into a measured length of the container.

[0066] Since the distance traveled by the conveyor belt during encoder operation is known, the number of encoder points thus determined can be easily converted or converted into distance.

[0067] Please note that the number of encoder points for each encoder is related to the encoder's resolution.

[0068] The encoder advantageously transmits an electrical signal that gives the number of encoder points generated between the two front and rear detections.

[0069] Advantageously, this measurement of the container length is therefore independent of the conveyor belt's drive speed.

[0070] During the comparison step, a predetermined tolerance range for the measured length of the container can also be considered.

[0071] According to yet another embodiment of the method for non-contact inspection of eggs, in step c) and before comparison, a processing step is performed to remove any interference signals from the obtained radar echo.

[0072] Advantageously, only useful signals from eggs examined in this way are retained.

[0073] These interference signals may originate from a container, for which high points / thick edges can be observed in radar echoes.

[0074] Different processing methods can be envisioned to eliminate these interfering signals, such as

[0075] - Reduce the useful data area of ​​radar echoes used for classification: for example, by retaining only the echoes with useful depth (the upper half of the egg), or by removing samples from the edge of the egg.

[0076] - Perform measurements on an "empty container or tray" and use the signal obtained in this way as a reference to "subtract" the signal obtained when scanning the egg.

[0077] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs (such as poultry eggs), the apparatus comprising: for each egg, a radar module configured to emit millimeter waves toward the egg and detect millimeter waves reflected by the egg, the radar module emitting a signal output from the reflected millimeter waves thus detected, the measuring device including a processing unit for analyzing the output signal and deriving the state of the corresponding egg from it.

[0078] Such equipment advantageously allows for contactless inspection of eggs arranged in containers or baskets, while being safer for the embryos in the eggs.

[0079] This equipment is particularly suitable for high-throughput handling of objects on industrial automated production lines used to process objects with fragile contents.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, each radar module includes a lens for focusing a millimeter-wave beam onto the corresponding egg, the focusing lens preferably being a convex lens.

[0081] According to another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, the radar module is configured to transmit millimeter-wave radio frequency signals toward the egg in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, and even better between 150 GHz and 300 GHz, and even more preferably between 200 GHz and 300 GHz.

[0082] According to another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, each radar module is configured to transmit power of less than 0.15 mW / cm². 2 And even better, less than or equal to 0.1 mW / cm 2 The millimeter-wave beam is used to avoid any risks to embryonic development.

[0083] According to another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, the radar module includes a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is used to emit a millimeter-wave beam toward the egg, and the second antenna is used to receive millimeter waves reflected by the egg. The first antenna and the second antenna are supported by the same support and are coaxial.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, the device includes a linear conveyor belt for moving a tray comprising recesses arranged in rows and columns, each row comprising n recesses, the conveyor belt defining a transport axis, and the device including n radar modules aligned along the same measuring axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transport axis, the radar modules being spaced apart from each other at equal or substantially equal distances, such that when a single recess in a row is placed below and / or above the radar module, the radar modules are positioned above and / or below that single recess.

[0085] Advantageously, the inspection device includes a control unit that inspects the speed at which the conveyor belt transports the pallets, and the control unit is configured to define a constant transport speed for these pallets along the transport path.

[0086] More generally, the movement of the pallet on the linear conveyor belt is carried out without any bumps.

[0087] Constant speed movement ensures the stability of the eggs in their indentations, and thus ensures the optimal orientation of these eggs for subsequent processing at other stations on the high-speed processing line.

[0088] Preferably, the device further includes at least one position sensor placed upstream of the radar module on the conveyor belt and connected to a central unit, such that a data acquisition cycle is initiated for an egg tray, the downstream end of which is detected in a first position defined by the position sensor, and the central unit is configured to trigger the millimeter-wave transmission on each channel of the row of the egg tray during acquisition.

[0089] Advantageously, each position sensor is, for example, a photocell placed on the conveyor belt side of the conveyor belt.

[0090] According to another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, each radar module is arranged to be centered or substantially centered on the axis of symmetry of the corresponding pit as the tray passes below and / or above the radar module, respectively.

[0091] The device for non-contact inspection of eggs may therefore include a first radar module and a second radar module for each corresponding indentation. The first radar module is designed to be positioned above the indentation, and the second radar module is designed to be positioned below the indentation while the tray moves between these radar modules.

[0092] According to yet another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, the device includes a communication module for transmitting data or information obtained by processing radar echoes from eggs in a given tray to a remote station (such as a device for intraegg injection of eggs in the tray).

[0093] According to another embodiment of the device for non-contact inspection of eggs, the device includes components for marking non-live eggs and those arranged upside down. The device may also include means for reorienting upside-down eggs, so that the eggs are once again placed upright in their recesses. Attached Figure Description

[0094] Other advantages, objects, and specific features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes and not in any way limiting, wherein:

[0095] Figure 1

[0096] [ Figure 1[Illustration] is a partial schematic diagram of an apparatus for non-contact inspection of eggs arranged in a basket conveyed by a conveyor belt, according to a specific embodiment of the invention, wherein the eggs are positioned upright in their recesses.

[0097] Figure 2

[0098] [ Figure 2 [This shows the use of] Figure 1 The device shown is for non-contact inspection of eggs to detect eggs positioned upside down or inverted in their indentations.

[0099] Figure 3

[0100] [ Figure 3 ] is in Figure 1 A schematic partial view of a tray traveling beneath the radar module of a device for non-contact inspection of eggs, where a measurement is triggered when the leading edge of the indentation of the egg to be measured passes close to the radar module.

[0101] Figure 4

[0102] [ Figure 4 ]yes Figure 3 The tray is shown in a schematic partial view at a later moment during its transport on the conveyor belt, with the measurement stopping as the rear edge of the indentation receiving the egg to be measured passes close to the radar module.

[0103] Figure 5

[0104] [ Figure 5 ] is using Figure 1 The device shown is used for non-contact inspection of eggs, and the timeline is obtained for an egg positioned upright in its indentation.

[0105] Figure 6

[0106] [ Figure 6 ] is using Figure 1 The device shown is used for non-contact inspection of eggs, and the timeline is obtained for an egg positioned upside down in its indentation.

[0107] Figure 7

[0108] [ Figure 7 ] is using Figure 1 The time graph shown is obtained from the device for non-contact inspection of eggs when there are no eggs in the pit.

[0109] Figure 8

[0110] [ Figure 8 [This shows the use of] Figure 1 The apparatus shown performs a set of measurements for non-contact inspection of eggs, for fifteen eggs on the fourteenth day, which are positioned upright in their respective indentations;

[0111] Figure 9

[0112] [ Figure 9 [This shows the use of] Figure 1 The apparatus shown performs a set of measurements for non-contact inspection of eggs, for fifteen eggs on the fourteenth day, which are positioned upside down or inverted in their respective indentations; Detailed Implementation

[0113] The accompanying drawings and the following description essentially contain elements of a certain nature. Therefore, they are not only used to better understand the invention, but also, where appropriate, to help define the invention.

[0114] First, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0115] Figures 1 to 4 The diagram schematically illustrates an apparatus for non-contact inspection of eggs arranged in a moving basket 10 on a linear conveyor belt 11, according to a specific embodiment of the invention.

[0116] The linear conveyor belt 11 (which is a loop belt in this case) includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the conveying speed of the basket 10.

[0117] Advantageously, these baskets 10 move at a constant speed to avoid causing bumps, as bumps can cause eggs to move around and / or affect the embryos in these eggs.

[0118] These movable baskets 10 (which have a generally “rectangular” shape) comprise multiple recesses or units, each of which typically receives an egg. These recesses are arranged in rows and columns, with no row comprising ten (10) recesses.

[0119] These baskets 10 are advantageously made of materials that are transparent to millimeter waves, such as plastic materials.

[0120] Preferably, the units of these baskets 10 have a trumpet shape, with the upper part of the opening being as wide as possible so that the edge of the opening does not encounter the millimeter beam 12 sent toward the corresponding egg.

[0121] These eggs are preferably oriented in their indentations for injection into the ovum, with their narrowest end facing downwards so that the air cell faces upwards. This position of the egg is considered "upright." Therefore, the risk of the injection needle damaging the embryo is reduced. The egg is preferably oriented vertically in its indentation. However, sometimes the egg is incorrectly positioned or inverted in its corresponding indentation. If the egg is inverted (i.e., its air cell facing downwards), it is called "upside down."

[0122] The device disclosed in this document makes it very simple and quick to check the orientation of an egg.

[0123] This non-contact inspection device comprises ten radar modules, one radar module per recess in each of the ten baskets, aligned in a spaced-apart manner such that a single radar module is positioned above one recess at a time. Preferably, each radar module in a corresponding row is centered or substantially centered above its recess to facilitate measurement. Note that the air cell of the egg does not necessarily need to be centered relative to the radar module. However, the millimeter-wave signal reflected by the egg is strongest in a centered configuration of the air cell.

[0124] The radar module includes a first antenna 13 for transmitting a millimeter-wave beam 12 toward a corresponding egg at a frequency of 60 GHz. The radar module also includes a second antenna 14 for receiving millimeter waves reflected by the egg.

[0125] The first antenna 13 and the second antenna 14 are supported by the same support and are arranged coaxially. The radar module also includes a convex lens 15 for focusing the millimeter-wave beam 12 onto the corresponding egg.

[0126] Advantageously, the millimeter beam 12 sent toward the egg has a divergence on the order of 6° so that it only hits the egg.

[0127] By reflecting millimeter waves, the form of the liquid / gas interface will make it possible to identify whether the egg is upright or upside down in its indentation. At these frequencies, between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, the eggshell is considered transparent.

[0128] In all cases, the wave is reflected by the surface of the amniotic fluid or allantoic fluid, depending on the developmental stage. If the fluid surface is flat, the incident millimeter-wave beam 12 will be reflected without distortion. Thus, it will be non-dispersive. The intensity of the returned measurement will depend only on the distance between the egg and the second detection antenna 14 and the cross-section of the egg.

[0129] Therefore, and as Figure 1 As shown, when the egg is upright in its indentation, it displays its circular portion and the surface of the liquid is concave. The intensity of the signal associated with the detection of the millimeter-wave beam reflected from the egg is high.

[0130] When the surface of amniotic fluid or allantoic fluid is convex ( Figure 2 The incident millimeter beam 12 is dispersed, and therefore, the intensity of the signal associated with the detection of the reflected millimeter beam returning to the second antenna 14 is reduced. The egg is arranged upside down, or inverted.

[0131] The baskets 10 are arranged in a row on the straight conveyor belt 11 with a fixed minimum interval. Therefore, there is a minimum interval between them.

[0132] Figures 5 to 7 It shows the result of Figures 1 to 4 An example of a timeline generated by the device shown for non-contact inspection of eggs.

[0133] Because of the radar signal from each egg, it is possible to determine the orientation of the egg in its indentation with very high reliability. Figure 5 and Figure 6 ), or even determine that the egg does not exist in the corresponding pit ( Figure 7 ).

[0134] This determination is performed by comparing the measured radar echo of the egg to be inspected with a reference radar echo previously recorded in a database stored in a storage unit.

[0135] For example, Figure 5 The timeline shown corresponds to an egg that is correctly positioned in its indentation, while Figure 6 The timeline shown corresponds to an egg positioned upside down or inverted in its indentation.

[0136] It has been observed that it is very easy to identify the upside-down or upright position of an egg in its indentation using the non-contact inspection device disclosed above.

[0137] A recognition rate of approximately 100% was achieved, demonstrating the benefits of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs, the device comprising: For each egg, a radar module is configured to emit millimeter waves toward the egg and detect the millimeter waves reflected by the egg. The radar module emits a signal output from the detected reflected millimeter waves. The measuring device includes a processing unit for analyzing the output signal and deriving from it the state of the egg: upright, inverted, alive, inactive, or indeterminate. Each radar module is configured to emit a power less than or equal to 0.1 mW / cm². 2 This is to avoid any risks to embryonic development.

2. The device for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each radar module includes a lens (15) for focusing a millimeter-wave beam onto the egg, the lens (15) being a convex lens.

3. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radar module is configured to transmit millimeter-wave radio frequency signals toward the egg in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 300 GHz.

4. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 3, characterized in that, The radar module is configured to transmit millimeter-wave radio frequency signals toward the egg in a frequency range between 150 GHz and 300 GHz.

5. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 4, characterized in that, The radar module is configured to transmit millimeter-wave radio frequency signals toward the egg in a frequency range between 200 GHz and 300 GHz.

6. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radar module includes a first antenna (12) and a second antenna (14). The first antenna is used to emit a millimeter-wave beam toward the egg, and the second antenna is used to receive the millimeter waves reflected by the egg. The first antenna and the second antenna (14) are supported by the same support and are coaxial.

7. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device includes a straight conveyor belt (11) for moving a tray (10) comprising recesses arranged in rows and columns, each row comprising n recesses, the conveyor belt (11) defining a conveying axis, the device including n radar modules aligned along the same measuring axis perpendicular to the conveying axis, the radar modules being spaced apart from each other at equal distances so that they are positioned above and / or below a single recess in the row when the individual recesses in the row are respectively placed below and / or above the radar modules.

8. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 7, characterized in that, The device includes a position sensor placed upstream of the radar module on the conveyor belt (11) and connected to a central unit, such that a data acquisition cycle is initiated for the tray (10), the downstream end of the tray is detected in a first position defined by the position sensor, and the central unit is configured to trigger the millimeter-wave transmission on each channel of the row of the tray (10) during acquisition.

9. The apparatus for automatically and non-contactly inspecting eggs according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each radar module is arranged to be centered on the axis of symmetry of the recess as the recess being acquired by the tray (10) passes below and / or above the radar module, respectively.

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