An egg processing apparatus, and a method for redistributing eggs

Abstract

An egg processing apparatus, including: - an endless supply conveyor (2), for example a supply belt or rod conveyor, providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs; -a roller conveyor (3) configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor (2); -opposite egg guide walls (8, 9) extending above the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), the guide walls (8, 9) defining a converging egg receiving space (G) viewed in an egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2); and -a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally over the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured for laterally dispersing eggs received from the supply conveyor (2). The invention also provides a method for redistributing eggs.

Description

[0001] Title: An egg processing apparatus, and a method for redistributing eggs

[0002] The invention relates to an egg processing apparatus. In known egg processing systems, eggs (in particular poultry / chicken eggs) are conveyed to e.g. a packaging apparatus via a conveying system, e.g. of a battery cage. There, the eggs are conveyed with a number of eggs in a juxtaposed arrangement to a packaging device via an endless conveyor and placed in a packaging via a carrier device. The number of eggs which are juxtaposed on the conveyor corresponds to the number of compartments in a respective package. Known roller conveyors have rollers whose diameter varies (also called diabolo-shaped rollers). The eggs are in each case situated in nests, between two rollers at the locations where the diameter is smallest. An example of an egg processing apparatus is described in WO2021045613, which provides a packaging apparatus which offers a more reliable positioning of eggs points down than earlier known packaging devices.

[0003] The endless conveyor of the known machine is configured to supply eggs in random transversal arrangement (viewed with respect to a respective transport direction), via an egg buffer plate, towards a downstream roller conveyor of the machine. A disadvantage is that the roller conveyor receives those eggs in the resulting random transversal arrangement / order, such that eggs are not always evenly distributed (transversally), which can lead inefficient further processing of the eggs, e.g. in case of subsequent egg packaging operations or the-like, i.e. hampering machine efficiency and throughput.

[0004] JP2012- 116624 discloses an egg aligning device capable of aligning chicken eggs at equal intervals. It includes a transport part for transporting a chicken egg in an X-direction, a curved buffering strip for buffering the chicken eggs while dispersing them in the width direction of the transport part, guide parts adjacent to the downstream side of the buffering strip for guiding the chicken eggs to set equal intervals in the width direction of the transport part 1, and alignment / partition parts for aligning the chicken eggs E at intervals equal to the intervals for guiding by the guide parts. A disadvantage of the disclosed system is that reliability of the respective device is relatively low, e.g. at high throughput or increase of processing speed.

[0005] JPH045410U discloses a straight buffer plate for buffering eggs on a roller conveyor.

[0006] The present invention aims to alleviate or solve the above mentioned problems. In particular, the invention aims to provide an improved egg processing apparatus, wherein eggs can be processed reliably and efficiently.

[0007] According to the invention, this is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

[0008] Advantageously, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an egg processing apparatus, including:

[0009] - an endless supply conveyor, for example a supply belt or rod conveyor, providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs; and

[0010] -a roller conveyor configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor;

[0011] -opposite egg guide walls extending above the top surface of the supply conveyor, the guide walls defining a converging egg receiving space viewed in an egg transport direction of the supply conveyor; and

[0012] -a horizontal egg distribution plate extending laterally over the top surface of the supply conveyor, downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate is configured for laterally dispersing eggs received from the supply conveyor.

[0013] In this way, improved apparatus operation can be achieved, wherein the egg distribution plate can allow a relatively controlled lateral (i.e. transversal) distribution of the eggs before they are being received by the roller conveyor. Thus, chances of empty egg receiving nests in the roller conveyor and any downstream sections of the apparatus can be avoided or at least significantly reduced. Also, in this way, relatively high egg processing throughput can be obtained.

[0014] An aspect of the invention provides a method for processing eggs, including the use of an egg processing apparatus according to the invention. Advantageously, eggs are transferred on the top surface of the endless supply conveyor and along the opposite egg guide walls through the respective converging egg receiving space, wherein the eggs are received by and laterally dispersed by the egg distribution plate, after which the eggs are conveyed by the supply conveyor to the roller conveyor.

[0015] In this way, the above-mentioned advantages can be achieved. A basic idea of the invention is to significantly narrow a stream of eggs that is supported on the supply conveyor first, after which the stream is widened (i.e. laterally / transversally) dispersed before being accepted by the roller conveyor (the rollers of which in particular extend transversally with respect to the egg transport direction of the supply conveyor). Also, it has been found that a relatively simple horizontal plate can be configured to provide a relatively even lateral egg distribution. The same holds for the upstream guide walls that provide the converging egg receiving space. In this way, for example, the invention can be implemented in known systems (e.g. egg packaging systems or egg sorting systems) in a relatively straightforward manner.

[0016] Further, an aspect of the invention provides a method for redistributing eggs, for example to be used in the above-described aspects, wherein a stream of eggs is transferred in a transport direction on an endless supply conveyor, wherein the stream of eggs converges into a relatively narrow stream, wherein the narrow stream of eggs is subsequently widened before the eggs are transferred to a roller conveyor for further transport.

[0017] Also, in this way, efficient egg processing can be achieved.

[0018] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0019] In the following, non-limiting examples of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing.

[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting example of the invention;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a top view of the non-limiting example of the invention;

[0022] Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 1; and

[0023] Figures 4A-4G depicts top views of alternative examples of an egg distribution plate of embodiments according to the present invention.

[0024] In the present application, similar or corresponding features are denoted by similar or corresponding reference signs.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an egg processing machine, for example a packaging apparatus / machine 1 for packaging eggs. The apparatus can be substantially similar to the machine disclosed in WO2021045613, the content of which is deemed to be incorporated in its entirety by reference in the present application.

[0026] In particular, the processing machine 1 has an endless supply conveyor 2 (which can also be called an accumulator), for example a supply belt 2 (or alternatively an endless rod conveyor). The machine is preferably configured such that, viewed in the direction of transport of the eggs, at the end of the roller conveyor 3, the eggs are transferred (e.g. dropped) from the roller conveyor 3 and collected by a carrier device 4 (known per se). The carrier device 4 can be configured to transport the eggs downwards and to then place them in one of packages 5 (e.g. egg trays). The packages 5 can be fed by a packaging conveyor (e.g. a packaging belt) 6 to a position under the carrier device 4. The packaging conveyor can transport filled packages 5 to a discharge conveyor (not shown) which subsequently removes the filled packages 5.

[0027] In particular, the egg processing apparatus, includes an endless supply conveyor 2, providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs, and an afore-mentioned roller conveyor 3 configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor 2. The apparatus can include a packaging conveyor that is configured to supply packages 5 to be filled with eggs, for example to a position under a reverse side of the roller conveyor 3, and to remove filled packages.

[0028] The top surface of the supply conveyor 2 is preferably configured such that eggs can freely move in lateral directions on the supply conveyor 2 (which is the case when the supply conveyor is e.g. a conveying belt or rod conveyor, as will be clear to the skilled person).

[0029] Further, the apparatus optionally includes a carrier device 4 positioned under the reverse side of the endless roller conveyor 3, the carrier device 4 comprising a plurality of in line and juxtaposed egg carriers which are provided in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of transport and which, in operation, in a first, relatively high position, collect eggs which are transported by the roller conveyor 3 in the direction of transport to the carrier device, move them downwards in the direction of the packaging conveyor 6 and then, in a second, relatively low position, place them in packages which have been supplied by the packaging conveyor.

[0030] The roller conveyor 3 can be configured in various ways. For example, the roller conveyor 3 can have an endless series of mutually spaced-apart interconnected rollers, each having a longitudinal direction which is oriented in a transverse direction with respect to a direction of transport of a conveyor track of the roller conveyor, the rollers for example being diabolo-shaped rollers, e.g. comprising a profile of first (relatively wide) sections and second relatively narrow sections in the longitudinal direction (the second sections being narrower than the first sections), wherein the second sections are configured to carry eggs during transportation (providing respective egg receiving nests), wherein the endless series of rollers of the roller conveyor is e.g. wound around at least one transport roller on a reverse side of the roller conveyor 3.

[0031] It is preferred that the roller conveyor 3 is associated with a plurality of egg inlet lanes (ports), that can be defined between respective inlet guides 15 extending at a short distance above a downstream end of the egg supply conveyor 2. In particular, the number of egg inlet lanes / ports corresponds to the number row of egg receiving nest defined by the rollers of the roller conveyor, as will be clear to the skilled person (for example, in the present non-limiting example, six egg entry lanes are shown, defined by inlet spaced apart guides 15, for supplying eggs to corresponding six rows of egg receiving nests provided by the roller conveyor 3).

[0032] Advantageously, the apparatus 1 includes opposite (vertical) egg guide walls 8, 9 extending above the top surface of the supply conveyor 2, the guide walls 8, 9 defining a converging egg receiving space G viewed in the egg transport direction X of the supply conveyor 2. For example, the guide walls 8, 9 can be elongated egg guiding plates or strips, extending along the top surface of the egg supply conveyor 2 for converging an incoming stream of eggs between those plates / strips. A length of the respective converging egg receiving space G, measured along a longitudinal center line Z, can be e.g. at least about 0.5 m, or for example a length in the range of 0.5-5 m, or differently as will be appreciated by the skilled person. In this way, supplied eggs can reliable and smoothly converge, in a relatively large egg receiving space G.

[0033] As is indicated in Figure 2, at an upstream section of the supply conveyor 2, opposite egg guide surfaces of the two guide walls 8, 9 can be spaced apart at a first distance W 1 (i.e. providing a width of the upstream egg entry of the converging egg receiving space G), which can e.g. be substantially the same as a width of the egg carrying top surface of the supply conveyor 2. At a downstream section, the opposite egg guide surfaces of the two guide walls 8, 9 can be spaced apart at a second distance W2 that is significantly smaller than said first distance (the second distance W2 providing a width of the egg exit of the converging egg receiving space G). As a result, the egg receiving space G converges from said first distance W1 to said second distance W2, wherein it is preferred that the width of the egg receiving space G gradually converges. For example the ratio of said second and first distances W2:W1 can be at most about 1:2, for example at most about 1:3 (e.g. at most about 1:4, or smaller).

[0034] In particular, downstream of the exit of the converging egg receiving space G, a diverging egg receiving space H is present, laterally bounded by side walls 12, 13, in which diverging space H the egg stream diverges during operation, to be received by the downstream roller conveyor 3 (the optional inlet guides 15 being located between distal sections of the lateral guide walls 12, 13, see Fig. 2). A downstream width of that diverging egg receiving space (which can be the about the same as a width of the rollers of the roller conveyor 3 that is to receive the eggs), i.e. a distance between the side walls 12, 13 at or near the respective egg transfer position to the roller conveyor 3, is indicated by arrow W3 in Figure 2. Said third distance W3 can e.g. be smaller than said first distance W 1 concerning the converging egg receiving space G, and can be significantly larger than said second distance W2 (i.e. the width of the egg exit of the converging egg receiving space G). A ratio W2:W3 of the second distance W2 and the latter third distance W3 can be e.g. at most about 1:2, for example at most about 1:3.

[0035] It will be appreciated that each of the guide walls 8, 9 can be partly or entirely curved, or straight, when viewed in top view (see Fig. 2). A height of the guide walls 8, 9 is preferably sufficient for contacting eggs, being transported there-between by the supply conveyor 2 during operation. Optionally, the apparatus 1 can include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the arrangement of the guide walls 8, 9, e.g. for changing the distance W2 between the guide wall distal sections (to set a width of a downstream end of the converging egg receiving space G).

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the guide walls 8, 9 are curved, having convex (egg guiding) sides facing each other (see Fig. 2). It has been found that in this way, improved egg distribution can be achieved, in particular providing improved inter-egg pressure build up on the supply conveyor 2 between the guide walls 8, 9 (e.g. in case of accumulation of eggs between those side walls 8, 9 during operation). For example, opposite curved sections of the guide walls 8, 9 can be spaced-apart from the egg exit of the converging egg receiving space G (optionally with substantially parallel sections of the opposite guide walls 8, 9 extending between that exit and the curved guide wall sections). Similarly, the opposite guide walls may have opposite converging straight sections upstream of the respective curved guide wall sections (see Fig. 2).

[0037] Moreover, a (flat) horizontal egg distribution plate 10 is arranged above the supply conveyor 2, the distribution plate 10 extending laterally over the top surface of the supply conveyor 2 (i.e. the plate 10 bridges the supply conveyor 2), for example in contact there-with or at a relatively short distance (e.g. about 1-2 mm) therefrom. Preferably, the egg distribution plate 10 is relatively thin (e.g. having a thickness smaller than 5 mm). A horizontal top surface of the distribution plate 10 preferably extends at a vertical level that is at most 1 cm above the vertical level of the horizontal top surface of the supply conveyor 2, and more preferably at most 5 mm above the vertical level of the horizontal top surface of the supply conveyor 2. During operation, the distribution plate 10 locally interrupts mechanical contact between the incoming egg stream and the supply conveyor 2 that passes below the distribution plate 10. As a result, incoming eggs can mutually push each other over the distribution plate 10, towards a downstream part of distribution plate 10 and back onto the supply conveyor 2 for further transport (in particular to the downstream roller conveyor).

[0038] The distribution plate 10 can e.g. be made of a rigid plastic, steel or the-like. Preferably, the distribution plate 10 has a smooth top egg guiding surface. Also, preferably, a bottom side of the distribution plate 10 (facing the top surface of the egg supply conveyor 3) is a smooth, low-friction surface.

[0039] The distribution plate 10 is positioned downstream of the converging egg receiving space G, for example at a relatively short distance R therefrom, for receiving a converged egg stream during operation. For example, said short distance can be at most 20 cm, in particular at most 10 cm (e.g. about 8 cm). Additional opposite egg guide walls 12, 13 can be provided (see Figure 3), extending along the top surface of the supply conveyor 2, from lateral sides of the egg steam exit of the converging egg receiving space G to lateral sides of the distribution plate 10, to prevent eggs falling off from lateral sides of the supply conveyor 2 (and from the distribution plate 10).

[0040] Advantageously, the egg distribution plate 10 is configured for laterally dispersing eggs received from the supply conveyor 2 (i.e. for transversally diverging the converged egg steam during operation). This is indicated in more detail in Figure 3, indicating an incoming converged egg stream with arrows OS, and indicating laterally dispersed (diverged egg stream) with arrows DS.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment (see Figure 3), the egg distribution plate 10 includes a first (central) section D, located opposite a downstream end (the exit) of the converging egg receiving space G (when viewed along the transport direction X of the supply conveyor) for receiving eggs therefrom, and at least a second section S (in this case two second sections S) located transversally next to the downstream end of the converging egg receiving space when viewed along the transport direction X of the supply conveyor. The (central) first section D of the distribution plate 10 is preferably longer than each second section S of the distribution plate 10, measured in parallel with the transport direction X of the supply conveyor 2. For example, the distribution plate 10 preferably includes a central relatively long first section D, arranged between two shorter second sections S. It has been found that in this way, good results can be achieved.

[0042] Further examples of egg distribution plates having longer central sections compared to lateral sections are shown in 4A-4F (see below). Figure 4G shows another example of an egg distribution plate 710, that does not include a longer central section.

[0043] Also, it is preferred that the egg distribution plate 10 has a mirror- symmetrical shape, viewed in top view, in particular with respect to a central line of the plate (the central line preferably coinciding with a center line Z of the converging egg receiving space G when viewed in top view, see Fig. 2).

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the egg distribution plate 10 includes a convex upstream edge 10a, preferably having a top section lOt that is located centrally with respect to (and opposite to) a downstream section (i.e. the egg stream exit) of the converging egg receiving space G, viewed in top view.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the egg distribution plate 10 includes a convex downstream edge 10b, preferably having a top section lOu that is located centrally with respect to a downstream section of the converging egg receiving space, viewed in top view. As follows from the drawing, the convex top sections lOt, lOu of the edges reach away from each other (viewed in top view), the top section lOt of the upstream edge protruding towards the exit of the egg receiving space and the top section lOu of the downstream edge protruding towards the downstream roller conveyor 3. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the top section lOt of the upstream edge of the egg distribution plate 10 has a first curvature (viewed in top view). Also, the top section lOu of the downstream edge of the egg distribution plate 10 can have a second curvature (viewed in top view), wherein the first curvature is larger / higher than the second curvature, which has been found to lead to extra good egg dispersion (diverging) results. Alternatively (as follows e.g. from Figures 4C, 4E), a convex edge section or edge of the distribution plate can be a pointed section (i.e. without a curvature).

[0046] In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the upstream edge 10a of the egg distribution plate 10 can include two concave lateral side sections 10s and a convex central section lOt, the concave side sections 10s and central section lOt preferably being curved. As is shown in Figure 3, curvatures of the side sections 10s are preferably (significantly) smaller than a curvature of the central section lOt.

[0047] Also, according to a preferred embodiment, a downstream edge 10b of the egg distribution plate 10 can include two lateral side sections lOw and a convex central section lOu, each of the side sections of the downstream edge 10b for example including an angle a larger than zero degrees with a vertical plane Y extending normally with respect to the egg transport direction X of the supply conveyor 2, said angle a e.g. being in the range of about 1-30 degrees, in particular about 5-20 degrees.

[0048] During operation, the distribution plate 10 locally interrupts mechanical contact between the incoming egg stream and the supply conveyor 2 that passes below the distribution plate 10. As a result, incoming eggs can mutually push each other over the distribution plate 10, towards a downstream part of distribution plate 10 and back onto the supply conveyor 2 for further transport.

[0049] In particular, during operation, a stream of eggs is transferred on the top surface of the endless supply conveyor 2 and along the opposite egg guide walls 8, 9 through the respective converging egg receiving space G (converging the stream). The laterally converged eggs are received (as a converged stream CS) by and laterally dispersed by the egg distribution plate 10, after which the eggs (in a laterally widened stream DS) are conveyed by the supply conveyor 2 to the roller conveyor 3, e.g. to be filled in packages 5 by a downstream packaging conveyor, depending on the configuration of the processing system.

[0050] In particular, it follows that operation can involve a method of redistributing eggs, wherein a stream of eggs is transferred in a transport direction X on / by the endless supply conveyor 2, wherein the stream of eggs converges into a relatively narrow stream CS (in the egg receiving space G) first, wherein the narrow stream CS of eggs is subsequently widened before the eggs are transferred to a roller conveyor 3 for further transport. During operation, the narrowed / converged egg stream CS that is provided from the converging egg receiving space G can first encounter the upstream edge 10a of the distribution plate 10, and in particular the central part lOt of that edge 10a. Egg that temporarily buffer along the upstream plate edge 10a, on the supply conveyor 2, will eventually be pushed onto the horizontal distribution plate 10 by further incoming eggs. It has been found that the respective egg stream can evenly diverge (laterally) when it passes over the distribution plate 10, to be delivered back to the supply conveyor 2 as a relatively evenly spread egg stream DS. As a result, reliable system operation and relatively high trough-puts can be achieved.

[0051] As is mentioned above, a preferred shape of the egg distribution plate is shown in Figures 1-3. Figure 4A shows an alternative shape that can be applied. In this case, the distribution plate 110 has a straight upstream edge and a curved downstream edge, a curvature of the edge being relatively small. Figure 4B shows an alternative shape, similar to the shape shown in Fig. 4A, but with a distribution plate 210 having curved downstream edge providing a central convex part of a relatively high curvature.

[0052] Figure 4C shows an alternative shape, wherein the distribution plate 310 has a straight upstream edge and a convex, pointed (triangular) downstream edge.

[0053] Figure 4D shows an alternative shape, wherein the distribution plate 410 has a convex, curved upstream edge and a convex, curved downstream edge, curvatures of both edges being substantially the same.

[0054] Figure 4E shows an alternative shape, wherein the distribution plate 510 has a pointed, triangular upstream edge and a curved downstream edge.

[0055] Figure 4F shows an alternative shape, that is similar to the example shown in Figure 3, but with a downstream edge of higher curvature.

[0056] Figure 4G shows an alternative shape, wherein the distribution plate 710 has a straight upstream edge and a straight downstream edge.

[0057] Herein, the invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged.

[0058] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage.

[0059] For example, the term “substantially horizontal” should be construed broadly, since a substantially horizontal direction can be a directly that is entirely horizontal or a direction that includes a small angle with a horizontal surface (e.g. an angle of about 30 degrees). The same holds for a substantially horizontal surface (which may be a slightly inclined surface).

[0060] Further, in this application, egg processing is in particular carried out on unfertilized eggs. In other word, the eggs E are dead (non-living) eggs, they do not contain any embryo.

[0061] It will be appreciated that the apparatus can include one or more drive means, for example one or more motors, for driving at least the respective supply conveyor 2 (and other conveyors 3, 6, if available).

[0062] Also, according to an embodiment, the egg processing apparatus 1 can include a support frame F (see Figure 1) for supporting or holding the various components of the machine, for example a frame that is supported on wheels W allowing ease of machine positioning in e.g. on a poultry farm floor.

[0063] Besides, the depicted example shows a packaging machine, for filling egg trays with eggs, however, it will be clear that the invention can also be applied in different types of egg processing machines, e.g. egg sorting systems and / or the-like.

[0064] Further, for example, it will be clear to the skilled person that the apparatus can include a control unit C (schematically indicated in Fig. 2), e.g. a computer, processor, or the-like, for controlling operation of various components of the system, e.g. for controlling or setting a speeds of one or more respective conveyer sections (such as the supply conveyor 2, and e.g. the roller conveyor 3). Preferably, the apparatus includes one or more sensors 20, 21 (being schematically indicated in Figure 2) for detecting an egg stream that passes the converging egg receiving space G during operation. Such a sensor 20 can e.g. be mounted to or integrated with a lateral guide wall 8, 9, and can be configured for detecting pressure on the respective guide wall 8, 9 (i.e. egg stream induced pressure), and / or configured for detecting deflection of the respective guide wall 8, 9 (in case the respective guide or guide wall is deflectable under egg stream pressure during operation).

[0065] In addition or alternatively, an optical sensor 21 can be provided, for example a camera, arranged for optically detecting a passing egg stream, the sensor being arranged for detecting an area for example at and / or just upstream of the exit of the converging egg receiving space G.

[0066] During operation, sensor results of such one or more egg stream sensors 20, 21 can be processed by said control unit C, for example such that a speed of the supply conveyor 2 is controlled based on the sensor detection result. In this way, the supply conveyor speed can be increased (by the control unit C) with respect to a set conveyor speed in case it is found, based on a respective sensor detection result, that a relatively low amount of eggs is present in or near the egg exit of the converging egg receiving space G. Similarly, in this way, the supply conveyor speed can be decreased (by the control unit C) with respect to a set conveyor speed in case it is found, based on a respective sensor detection result, that a relatively large amount of eggs is present in the converging egg receiving space G (e.g. overcrowding of eggs), e.g. near its egg exit.

Claims

Claims1. An egg processing apparatus, including:- an endless supply conveyor (2), for example a supply belt or rod conveyor, providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs; and-a roller conveyor (3) configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor (2);-opposite egg guide walls (8, 9) extending above the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), the guide walls (8, 9) defining a converging egg receiving space (G) viewed in an egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2); and -a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally over the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured for laterally dispersing eggs received from the supply conveyor (2).

2. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the converging egg receiving space (G), measured along a longitudinal center line (Z) is at least about 0.5 m, or for example a length in the range of 0.5-5 m.

3. The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the egg receiving space (G) converges from a first distance (W 1) to a second distance (W2), wherein a ratio of said second and first distances W2:W1 is at most about 1:2.

4. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ratio of said second and first distances W2:W1 is at most about 1:3, for example at most about 1:4, or smaller.

5. The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the egg distribution plate is configured such that during operation a converged egg stream (OS) that is provided from the converging egg receiving space (G) first encounters an upstream edge (10a) of thedistribution plate (10), and the respective egg stream diverges laterally when it passes over the distribution plate (10), to be delivered back to the supply conveyor (2).

6. The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) includes a first section (D), located opposite a downstream end of the converging egg receiving space (G) for receiving eggs therefrom, and at least one second section (S) located transversally next to the downstream end of the converging egg receiving space when viewed along the transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor, wherein the first section (D) of the distribution plate (10) is longer than each second section (S) of the distribution plate (10) measured in parallel with the transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2).

7. The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) includes a convex upstream edge (10a), preferably having a top section that is located centrally with respect to a downstream section of the converging egg receiving space, viewed in top view.

8. The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) includes a convex downstream edge (10b), preferably having a top section that is located centrally with respect to a downstream section of the converging egg receiving space, viewed in top view.

9. The egg processing apparatus according to claims 7 and 8, wherein a top section of the upstream edge of the egg distribution plate (10) has a first curvature, wherein a top section of the downstream edge of the egg distribution plate (10) has a second curvature, wherein the first curvature is larger than the second curvature.

10. The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an upstream edge (10a) of the egg distribution plate (10) includes two concave lateral side sections and a convex central section.

11. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the concave side sections of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg distribution plate and the convex central section of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg distribution plate are curved.

12. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein curvatures of the side sections of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg distribution plate are smaller than a curvature of the central section of the upstream edge (10a) of the egg distribution plate.13 The egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a downstream edge (10b) of the egg distribution plate (10) includes two lateral side sections and a convex central section.

14. The egg processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the side sections of the downstream edge (10b) includes an angle (a) larger than zero degrees with a vertical plane (Y) extending normally with respect to the egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2), said angle e.g. being in the range of about 1-30 degrees, in particular about 5-20 degrees.

15. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the roller conveyor has an endless series of mutually spaced-apart interconnected rollers, each having a longitudinal direction which is oriented in a transverse direction with respect to a direction of transport of a conveyor track of the roller conveyor, the rollers comprising a profile of first (relatively wide) sections and second (relatively narrow) sections in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second sections are configured to carry eggs during transportation, wherein the endless series of rollers of the roller conveyor is preferably wound around at least one transport roller on a reverse side of the roller conveyor (3).

16. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including a packaging conveyor configured to supply packages (5) to be filled with eggs, e.g. to a position under a reverse side of the roller conveyor (3).

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, including a carrier device (4) positioned under a reverse side of the endless roller conveyor (3), comprising a plurality of in hne and juxtaposed egg carriers which are provided in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of transport and which, in operation, in a first, relatively high position, collect eggs which are transported by the roller conveyor in the direction of transport to the carrier device, move them downwards in the direction of the packaging conveyor and then, in a second, relatively low position, place them in packages which have been supplied by the packaging conveyor.

18. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opposite egg guide walls (8, 9) are curved, having opposite convex egg guide surfaces.

19. An egg processing apparatus, for example an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including:- an endless supply conveyor (2), for example a supply belt or rod conveyor, providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs; and-a roller conveyor (3) configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor (2);-opposite egg guide walls (8, 9) extending above the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), the guide walls (8, 9) defining a converging egg receiving space (G) viewed in an egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2); and -a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally over the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured for laterally dispersing eggs received from the supply conveyor (2); wherein a length of the converging egg receiving space (G), measured along a longitudinal center line (Z) is at least about 0.5 m, or for example a length in the range of 0.5-5 m;wherein the egg receiving space (G) converges from a first distance (Wl) to a second distance (W2), wherein a ratio of said second and first distances W2:W1 is at most about 1:2.

20. An egg processing apparatus, for example an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including:- an endless supply conveyor (2), for example a supply belt or rod conveyor, providing a horizontal top surface for supporting eggs; and-a roller conveyor (3) configured for receiving eggs from the supply conveyor (2);-opposite egg guide walls (8, 9) extending above the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), the guide walls (8, 9) defining a converging egg receiving space (G) viewed in an egg transport direction (X) of the supply conveyor (2); and -a horizontal egg distribution plate (10) extending laterally over the top surface of the supply conveyor (2), downstream of the converging egg receiving space, wherein the egg distribution plate (10) is configured for laterally dispersing eggs received from the supply conveyor (2); wherein the egg distribution plate (10) includes a central section (D), arranged between two second sections (S), a length of the central section (D) being larger than a length of each of the two second sections (S) measured in the transport direction (X) of the endless supply conveyor (2).

21. Method for processing eggs, including the use of an egg processing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein eggs are transferred on the top surface of the endless supply conveyor (2) and along the opposite egg guide walls (8, 9) through the respective converging egg receiving space (G), wherein the eggs are received by and laterally dispersed by the egg distribution plate (10), after which the eggs are conveyed by the supply conveyor (2) to the roller conveyor (3), for example to be filled in packages (5) by a downstream packaging conveyor.

22. Method for distributing eggs, for example a method according to claim 21, wherein a stream of eggs is transferred in a transport direction (X)on an endless supply conveyor (2), wherein the stream of eggs converges into a relatively narrow stream, wherein the narrow stream of eggs is subsequently widened before the eggs are transferred to a roller conveyor (3) for further transport.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the stream of eggs converges in an egg receiving space (G) that converges from a first distance (W 1) to a second distance (W2), wherein a ratio of said second and first distances W2:W1 is at most about 1:2.

24. Method according to any of claims 22-23, wherein the egg stream diverges laterally during its passage over the distribution plate (10).

25. Method according to any of claims 21-24, including detecting the stream of eggs, for example by one or more sensors (20, 21), and controlling a speed of the endless supply conveyor (2) based on a detection result of the egg stream detection.

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